Substituted heterocyclic compounds

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compounds that are late sodium channel inhibitors and to their use in the treatment of various disease states, including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In particular embodiments, the structure of the compounds is given by Formula (I): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4  are as described herein, to methods for the preparation and use of the compounds and to pharmaceutical compositions containing the same.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/606,956, filed Oct. 27, 2009 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/229,882, filed Jul. 30, 2009 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/109,461, Oct. 29, 2008, the entireties of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel compounds and to their use in the treatment of various disease states, including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The invention also relates to methods for their preparation, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.

BACKGROUND

The late sodium current (I_(NaL)) is a sustained component of the fast Na⁺ current of cardiac myocytes and neurons. Many common neurological and cardiac conditions are associated with abnormal (I_(NaL)) enhancement, which contributes to the pathogenisis of both electrical and contactile dysfunction in mammals. See, for example, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology of the Cardiac “Late Sodium Current”, Pharmacology and Therapeutics 119 (2008) 326-339. Accordingly, pharmaceutical compounds that selectively inhibit (I_(NaL)) in mammals are useful in treating such disease states.

One example of a selective inhibitor of (I_(NaL)) is RANEXA®, a compound approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic stable angina pectoris. RANEXA® has also been shown to be useful for the treatment of a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including ischemia, reperfusion injury, arrhythmia and unstable angina, and also for the treatment of diabetes. It would be desirable to provide novel compounds that selectively inhibit (I_(NaL)) in mammals and that have the same spectrum of activity as RANEXA®, but with a lower potential for blocking the potassium hERG channel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides novel compounds that function as late sodium channel blockers. In a first aspect, the invention relates to compounds of Formula I:

wherein

-   -   R¹ is         -   a) hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl,     -   b) —X—NR⁵R⁶,         -   c) —X—C(O)NR⁵R⁶,         -   d) —X—C(O)OR⁷,         -   e) —X—OR⁷,         -   f) —X—NR⁸—C(O)NR⁵R⁶,         -   g) —X—C(O)R⁷, or         -   h) —X-phenyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally             substituted by 1, 2, or 3 groups chosen from C₁₋₆ lower             alkyl, C₁₋₆ lower alkoxy, halo, and trifluoromethyl;         -   wherein         -   R⁵ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ optionally substituted lower alkyl,             and         -   R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ lower alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,             —C(NH)NH₂, —C(O)R⁷, —C(O)(CH₂)_(n)OR7, or —S(O)₂R⁷, wherein             -   n is 0 or 1, R⁷ is hydrogen, hydroxyl, optionally                 substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, optionally                 substituted monocyclic aryl, or 5 or 6 membered                 optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl, or             -   R⁵ and R⁶ along with the nitrogen to which they are                 attached join to form a 5 or 6 membered monocyclic                 heteroaryl or heterocyclyl ring;             -   R⁷ is hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl,                 optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkenyl, optionally                 substituted monocyclic aryl, or 5 or 6 membered                 optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl;             -   R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ lower alkyl;             -   X is optionally substituted C₁₋₆ linear or branched                 alkylene;     -   R² is         -   a) hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted             by halo, phenyl, heteroaryl, or cycloalkyl, in which said             phenyl, heteroaryl, or cycloalkyl groups are optionally             substituted by halo, hydroxyl, or alkoxy of 1-6 carbon             atoms;         -   b) —Y—NR²⁴R²⁵,         -   c) —Y—C(O)NR²⁴R²⁵,         -   d) —Y—C(O)OR²⁷,         -   e) —Y—OR²⁷, or         -   f) —Y—NR²⁸—C(O)NR²⁴R²⁵, or         -   g) —Y—C(O)R²⁷,         -   wherein         -   R²⁴ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ optionally substituted lower alkyl,             and         -   R²⁵ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ lower alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆             alkoxy, —C(NH)NH₂, —C(O)R²⁶ or —S(O)₂R²⁶, wherein             -   R²⁶ is hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl,                 optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkenyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy,                 optionally substituted monocyclic aryl, or 5 or 6                 membered optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl,                 or         -   R²⁴ and R²⁵ along with the nitrogen to which they are             attached join to form a or 6 membered monocyclic heteroaryl             or heterocyclyl ring;         -   R²⁷ is hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl,             optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkenyl, optionally substituted             monocyclic aryl, or 5 or 6 membered optionally substituted             monocyclic heteroaryl;         -   R²⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ lower alkyl;         -   Y is a covalent bond, optionally substituted C₁₋₆ linear or             branched alkylene;         -   wherein the alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety is             optionally substituted with from 1 to 3 substituents             independently selected from the group consisting of             heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, halo, NO₂, CF₃, CN, OR²⁰,             SR²⁰, N(R²⁰)₂, S(O)R²², SO₂R²², SO₂N(R²⁰)₂, S(O)₃R²⁰,             P(O)(OR²⁰)₂, SO₂NR²⁰COR²², SO₂NR²⁰CO₂R²², SO₂NR²⁰CON(R²⁰)₂,             NR²⁰COR²², NR²⁰CO₂R²², NR²⁰CON(R²⁰)₂, NR²⁰C(NR²⁰)NHR²³,             COR²⁰, CO₂R²⁰, CON(R²⁰)₂, CONR²⁰SO₂R²², NR²⁰SO₂R²²,             SO₂NR²⁰CO₂R²², OCONR²⁰SO₂R²², OC(O)R²⁰C(O)OCH₂OC(O)R²⁰, and             OCON(R²⁰)₂, and         -   further wherein each optional heteroaryl, aryl, and             heterocyclyl substituent is further optionally substituted             with halo, NO₂, alkyl, CF₃, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino,             alkyl or aryl or heteroaryl amide, NR²⁰COR²², NR²⁰SO₂R²²,             COR²⁰, CO₂R²⁰, CON(R²⁰)₂, NR²⁰CON(R²⁰)₂, OC(O)R²⁰,             OC(O)N(R²⁰)₂, S(O)₃R²⁰, P(O)(OR²⁰)₂, SR²⁰, S(O)R²², SO₂R²²,             SO₂N(R²⁰)₂, CN, or OR²⁰;     -   R³ is optionally substituted mono or bicyclic heterocyclyl, mono         or bicyclic aryl, or mono or bicyclic heteroaryl;         -   wherein the aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moiety is             optionally substituted with from 1 to 3 substituents             independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl,             heterocyclyl, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, halo, NO₂, CF₃, CN,             OR²⁰, SR²⁰, N(R²⁰)₂, S(O)R²², SO₂R²², SO₂N(R²⁰)₂, S(O)₃R²⁰,             P(O)(OR²⁰)₂, SO₂NR²⁰COR²², SO₂NR²⁰CO₂R²², SO₂NR²⁰CON(R²⁰)₂,             NR²⁰COR²², NR²⁰CO₂R²², NR²⁰CON(R²⁰)₂, NR²⁰C(NR²⁰)NHR²³,             COR²⁰, CO₂R²⁰, CON(R²⁰)₂, CONR²⁰SO₂R²², NR²⁰SO₂R²²,             SO₂NR²⁰CO₂R²², OCONR²⁰SO₂R²², OC(O)R²⁰, C(O)OCH₂OC(O)R²⁰,             and OCON(R²⁰)₂, and         -   further wherein each optional alkyl, heteroaryl, aryl, and             heterocyclyl substituent is further optionally substituted             with halo, NO₂, alkyl, CF₃, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino,             alkyl or aryl or heteroaryl amide, NR²⁰COR²², NR²⁰SO₂R²²,             COR²⁰, CO₂R²⁰, CON(R²⁰)₂, NR²⁰CON(R²⁰)₂, OC(O)R²⁰,             OC(O)N(R²⁰)₂, S(O)₃R²⁰, P(O)(OR²⁰)₂, SR²⁰, S(O)R²², SO₂R²²,             SO₂N(R²⁰)₂, CN, or OR²⁰     -   R⁴ is hydrogen, halo, optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl,         optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkenyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, or cycloalkyl,     -   R²⁰ and R²² are independently selected from the group consisting         of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₅ alkyl, C₂₋₁₅ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₅ alkynyl,         heterocyclyl, aryl, and heteroaryl,     -   wherein the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, and         heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted with from 1 to 3         substituents independently selected from halo, alkyl, mono- or         dialkylamino, alkyl or aryl or heteroaryl amide, CN, O—C₁₋₆         alkyl, CF₃, aryl, and heteroaryl;     -   and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, prodrugs, or         solvates thereof.

Some embodiments provide a method of using the compounds of Formula (I) in the treatment of a disease or condition in a mammal that is amenable to treatment by a late sodium channel blocker. The compounds of the invention and their therapeutically acceptable salts, esters, tautomeric forms are potentially of use as medicaments for the treatment of certain diseases, such as, cardiovascular diseases such as atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, heart failure (including congestive heart failure, diastolic heart failure, systolic heart failure, acute heart failure), Prinzmetal's (variant) angina, stable and unstable angina, exercise induced angina, congestive heart disease, ischemia, recurrent ischemia, reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, peripheral arterial disease, and intermittent claudication. Such diseases also include diabetes, and conditions related to diabetes, e.g. diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Such diseases may also include conditions affecting the neuromuscular system resulting in pain, seizures, or paralysis.

At present, the preferred compounds for use in the invention include, but are not limited to:

-   2-hydroxy-N-(2-{2-oxo-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl}ethyl)acetamide; -   1,3-dimethyl-6-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   6-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1,3-dimethylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-6-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   ethyl     4-methyl-3-oxo-6-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; -   ethyl     4-methyl-3-oxo-6-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; -   3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-(propan-2-yl)-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-on; -   1-methyl-3-(propan-2-yl)-7-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-6-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   N-(2-{3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl}ethyl)-2-hydroxyacetamide; -   1-methyl-6-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1-methyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-6-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one. -   2-hydroxy-N-(2-(2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)acetamide; -   2-oxo-2-(2-(2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethylamino)ethyl     acetate; -   1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   7-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1,3-dimethylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   7-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   ethyl     4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; -   ethyl     4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; -   3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-isopropyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-isopropyl-1-methyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   2-hydroxy-N-(2-(3-t-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)acetamide; -   1-methyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   tert-butyl     2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetate; -   tert-butyl     2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetate; -   2-hydroxy-N-(2-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)acetamide; -   2-hydroxy-N-(2-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)acetamide; -   3-benzyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-benzyl-1-methyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-tert-butyl-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-tert-butyl-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-phenyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-phenyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-isopropyl-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-isopropyl-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   ethyl     2-(4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanoate; -   ethyl     2-(4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanoate; -   2-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetic     acid; -   3-tert-butyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   tert-butyl     3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoate; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-isopropyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   ethyl     4-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-3-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; -   1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-isopropyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-tert-butyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   ethyl     6-(3-bromophenyl)-4-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-3-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; -   1-methyl-3-phenethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(indolin-3-yl)-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-isobutyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   4-((3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)methyl)benzoic     acid; -   2-(2-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethoxy)acetic     acid; -   4-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic     acid; -   N-methyl-3-(4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanamide; -   3-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-benzoyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-isonicotinoyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(3-benzoyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   4-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(4-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic     acid; -   2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetic     acid; -   3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-(4-phenoxyl)piperidin-1-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-hydroxy-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(3-benzyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   4-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic     acid; -   3-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   1-methyl-3-(methyl(phenyl)amino)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-(phenylthio)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-phenoxy-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-(phenylamino)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   N-(2-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)methanesulfonamide; -   N-(2-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)methanesulfonamide; -   3-(1H-imidazol-2-ylthio)-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(4-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(2-methoxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(7-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3-tert-butyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-tert-butyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(3-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   4-(3-tert-butyl-7-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-6-methoxy-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(7-(biphenyl-3-yl)-3-tert-butyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(2-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(2-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   (R)-3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic     acid; -   3-(2-oxo-3-(2-phenylpropan-2-yl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-6-methyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; and -   ethyl     4-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-3-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions and General Parameters

As used in the present specification, the following words and phrases are generally intended to have the meanings as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicates otherwise.

The term “alkyl” refers to a monoradical branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon chain having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. This term is exemplified by groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, t-butyl, n-hexyl, n-decyl, tetradecyl, and the like.

The term “substituted alkyl” refers to:

-   -   1) an alkyl group as defined above, having 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5         substituents, (typically 1, 2, or 3 substituents) selected from         the group consisting of alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl,         cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl,         alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto,         thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio,         heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl,         aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonylamino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl,         heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl,         —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and         —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition,         all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2,         or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl,         aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted         amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R, where R is alkyl, aryl, or         heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2; or     -   2) an alkyl group as defined above that is interrupted by 1-10         atoms (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 atoms) independently chosen from         oxygen, sulfur and NRa—, where Ra is chosen from hydrogen,         alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl,         heteroaryl and heterocyclyl. All substituents may be optionally         further substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino,         substituted amino, cyano, or —S(O)_(n)R, in which R is alkyl,         aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2; or     -   3) an alkyl group as defined above that has both 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5         substituents as defined above and is also interrupted by 1-10         atoms (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 atoms) as defined above.

The term “lower alkyl” refers to a monoradical branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon chain having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 carbon atoms. This term is exemplified by groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, t-butyl, n-hexyl, and the like.

The term “substituted lower alkyl” refers to lower alkyl as defined above having 1 to 5 substituents (typically 1, 2, or 3 substituents), as defined for substituted alkyl, or a lower alkyl group as defined above that is interrupted by 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 atoms as defined for substituted alkyl, or a lower alkyl group as defined above that has both 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents as defined above and is also interrupted by 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 atoms as defined above.

The term “alkylene” refers to a diradical of a branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon chain, typically having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms (e.g. 1-10 carbon atoms, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms). This term is exemplified by groups such as methylene (—CH₂—), ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), the propylene isomers (e.g., —CH₂CH₂CH₂— and —CH(CH₃)CH₂—), and the like.

The term “lower alkylene” refers to a diradical of a branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon chain, typically having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 carbon atoms.

The term “substituted alkylene” refers to:

-   -   (1) an alkylene group as defined above having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5         substituents (typically 1, 2, or 3 substituents) selected from         the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy,         cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino,         aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen,         hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio,         heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl,         aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonylamino,         heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino,         alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl,         —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise         constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally         be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from         alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy,         halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R,         where R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2; or     -   (2) an alkylene group as defined above that is interrupted by         1-10 groups (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups) independently chosen         from —O—, —S—, sulfonyl, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N—, and —NRa—,         where Ra is chosen from hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl,         cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl; or     -   (3) an alkylene group as defined above that has both 1, 2, 3, 4         or 5 substituents as defined above and is also interrupted by         1-10 groups as defined above. Examples of substituted alkylenes         are chloromethylene (—CH(Cl)—), aminoethylene (—CH(NH₂)CH₂—),         methylaminoethylene (—CH(NHMe)CH₂—), 2-carboxypropylene isomers         (—CH₂CH(CO₂H)CH₂—), ethoxyethyl (—CH₂CH₂O—CH₂CH₂—),         ethylmethylaminoethyl (—CH₂CH₂—N(CH₃)—CH₂CH₂—),         1-ethoxy-2-(2-ethoxy-ethoxy)ethane         (—CH₂CH₂O—CH₂CH₂—OCH₂CH₂—OCH₂CH₂—), and the like.

The term “aralkyl” refers to an aryl group covalently linked to an alkylene group, where aryl and alkylene are defined herein. “Optionally substituted aralkyl” refers to an optionally substituted aryl group covalently linked to an optionally substituted alkylene group. Such aralkyl groups are exemplified by benzyl, phenylethyl, 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propyl, and the like.

The term “alkoxy” refers to the group R—O—, where R is optionally substituted alkyl or optionally substituted cycloalkyl, or R is a group —Y—Z, in which Y is optionally substituted alkylene and Z is optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl; or optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl and cycloalkenyl are as defined herein. Typical alkoxy groups are alkyl-O— and include, by way of example, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, iso-propoxy, n-butoxy, tert-butoxy, sec-butoxy, n-pentoxy, n-hexyloxy, 1,2-dimethylbutoxy, and the like.

The term “lower alkoxy” refers to the group R—O— in which R is optionally substituted lower alkyl as defined above. This term is exemplified by groups such as methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, iso-propoxy, n-butoxy, iso-butoxy, t-butoxy, n-hexyloxy, and the like.

The term “alkylthio” refers to the group R—S—, where R is as defined for alkoxy.

The term “alkenyl” refers to a monoradical of a branched or unbranched unsaturated hydrocarbon group typically having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms (more typically from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, e.g. 2 to 6 carbon atoms) and having from 1 to 6 carbon-carbon double bonds, e.g. 1, 2, or 3 carbon-carbon double bonds. Typical alkenyl groups include ethenyl (or vinyl, i.e. —CH═CH₂), 1-propylene (or allyl, —CH₂CH═CH₂), isopropylene (—C(CH₃)═CH₂), bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene, and the like. In the event that alkenyl is attached to nitrogen, the double bond cannot be alpha to the nitrogen.

The term “lower alkenyl” refers to alkenyl as defined above having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

The term “substituted alkenyl” refers to an alkenyl group as defined above having 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents (typically 1, 2, or 3 substituents), selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonylamino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R, where R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “alkynyl” refers to a monoradical of an unsaturated hydrocarbon, typically having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms (more typically from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, e.g. 2 to 6 carbon atoms) and having from 1 to 6 carbon-carbon triple bonds e.g. 1, 2, or 3 carbon-carbon triple bonds. Typical alkynyl groups include ethynyl (—C═CH), propargyl (or propynyl, —C≡CCH3), and the like. In the event that alkynyl is attached to nitrogen, the triple bond cannot be alpha to the nitrogen.

The term “substituted alkynyl” refers to an alkynyl group as defined above having 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents (typically 1, 2, or 3 substituents), selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonylamino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R, where R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “aminocarbonyl” refers to the group —C(O)NRR where each R is independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or where both R groups are joined to form a heterocyclic group (e.g., morpholino). Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R, where R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “ester” or “carboxyester” refers to the group —C(O)OR, where R is alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl, which may be optionally further substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, or —S(O)_(n)Ra, in which Ra is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “acylamino” refers to the group —NRC(O)R where each R is independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl. All substituents may be optionally further substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, or —S(O)_(n)R, in which R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “acyloxy” refers to the groups —OC(O)-alkyl, —OC(O)-cycloalkyl, —OC(O)-aryl, —OC(O)-heteroaryl, and —OC(O)-heterocyclyl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R, where R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “aryl” refers to an aromatic carbocyclic group of 6 to 20 carbon atoms having a single ring (e.g., phenyl) or multiple rings (e.g., biphenyl), or multiple condensed (fused) rings (e.g., naphthyl, fluorenyl, and anthryl). Typical aryls include phenyl, fluorenyl, naphthyl, anthryl, and the like. Note that an aryl group may be attached to the rest of a molecule via one or more than one (e.g. two) site.

Unless otherwise constrained by the definition for the aryl substituent, such aryl groups can optionally be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents (typically 1, 2, or 3 substituents), selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonylamino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R, where R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “aryloxy” refers to the group aryl-O— wherein the aryl group is as defined above, and includes optionally substituted aryl groups as also defined above. The term “arylthio” refers to the group R—S—, where R is as defined for aryl.

The term “amino” refers to the group —NH₂.

The term “substituted amino” refers to the group —NRR where each R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl provided that both R groups are not hydrogen, or a group —Y—Z, in which Y is optionally substituted alkylene and Z is alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, or alkynyl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R, where R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “carboxyalkyl” refers to the groups —C(O)O-alkyl, —C(O)O-cycloalkyl, where alkyl and cycloalkyl are as defined herein, and may be optionally further substituted by alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, or —S(O)_(n)R, in which R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to cyclic alkyl groups of from 3 to 20 carbon atoms having a single cyclic ring or multiple condensed rings. Such cycloalkyl groups include, by way of example, single ring structures such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclooctyl, and the like, or multiple ring structures such as adamantanyl, and bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, or cyclic alkyl groups to which is fused an aryl group, for example indan, and the like.

The term “substituted cycloalkyl” refers to cycloalkyl groups having 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents (typically 1, 2, or 3 substituents), selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonylamino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. The term “substituted cycloalkyl” also includes cycloalkyl groups wherein one or more of the annular carbon atoms of the cycloalkyl group is a carbonyl group (i.e. an oxygen atom is oxo to the ring). Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R, where R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “halogen” or “halo” refers to fluoro, bromo, chloro, and iodo.

The term “acyl” denotes a group —C(O)R, in which R is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, optionally substituted aryl, and optionally substituted heteroaryl.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to a group comprising 1 to 15 carbon atoms and 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur within at least one ring. The term “heteroaryl” is generic to the terms “aromatic heteroaryl” and “partially saturated heteroaryl”. The term “aromatic heteroaryl” refers to a heteroaryl in which at least one ring is aromatic. Examples of aromatic heteroaryls include pyrrole, thiophene, pyridine, quinoline, pteridine. The term “partially saturated heteroaryl” refers to a heteroaryl having a structure equivalent to an underlying aromatic heteroaryl which has had one or more double bonds in an aromatic ring of the underlying aromatic heteroaryl saturated. Examples of partially saturated heteroaryls include dihydropyrrole, dihydropyridine, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene.

Unless otherwise constrained by the definition for the heteroaryl substituent, such heteroaryl groups can be optionally substituted with 1 to 5 substituents (typically 1, 2, or 3 substituents) selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl (an alkyl ester), arylthio, heteroaryl, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonylamino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R, where R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2. Such heteroaryl groups can have a single ring (e.g., pyridyl or furyl) or multiple condensed rings (e.g., indolizinyl, benzothiazole, or benzothienyl). Examples of nitrogen heterocyclyls and heteroaryls include, but are not limited to, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, indolizine, isoindole, indole, indazole, purine, quinolizine, isoquinoline, quinoline, phthalazine, naphthylpyridine, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, pteridine, carbazole, carboline, phenanthridine, acridine, phenanthroline, isothiazole, phenazine, isoxazole, phenoxazine, phenothiazine, imidazolidine, imidazoline, and the like as well as N-alkoxy-nitrogen containing heteroaryl compounds.

The term “heteroaryloxy” refers to the group heteroaryl-O—.

The term “heterocyclyl” refers to a monoradical saturated group having a single ring or multiple condensed rings, having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms and from 1 to 10 hetero atoms, preferably 1 to 4 heteroatoms, selected from nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and/or oxygen within the ring.

Unless otherwise constrained by the definition for the heterocyclic substituent, such heterocyclic groups can be optionally substituted with 1 to 5 substituents (typically 1, 2, or 3 substituents), selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonylamino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R, where R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2. Heterocyclic groups can have a single ring or multiple condensed rings. Preferred heterocyclics include tetrahydrofuranyl, morpholino, piperidinyl, and the like.

The term “thiol” refers to the group —SH.

The term “substituted alkylthio” refers to the group —S-substituted alkyl.

The term “heteroarylthiol” refers to the group —S-heteroaryl wherein the heteroaryl group is as defined above including optionally substituted heteroaryl groups as also defined above.

The term “sulfoxide” refers to a group —S(O)R, in which R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl. “Substituted sulfoxide” refers to a group —S(O)R, in which R is substituted alkyl, substituted aryl, or substituted heteroaryl, as defined herein.

The term “sulfone” refers to a group —S(O)₂R, in which R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl. “Substituted sulfone” refers to a group —S(O)₂R, in which R is substituted alkyl, substituted aryl, or substituted heteroaryl, as defined herein.

The term “keto” refers to a group —C(O)—. The term “thiocarbonyl” refers to a group —C(S)—. The term “carboxy” refers to a group —C(O)—OH.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not.

A “substituted” group includes embodiments in which a monoradical substituent is bound to a single atom of the substituted group (e.g. forming a branch), and also includes embodiments in which the substituent may be a diradical bridging group bound to two adjacent atoms of the substituted group, thereby forming a fused ring on the substituted group.

A compound of a given Formula (e.g. the “compound of Formula (I)”) is intended to encompass the compounds of the invention as disclosed, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutically acceptable esters, hydrates, polymorphs, and prodrugs of such compounds. Additionally, the compounds of the invention may possess one or more asymmetric centers, and can be produced as a racemic mixture or as individual enantiomers or diastereoisomers. The number of stereoisomers present in any given compound of a given Formula depends upon the number of asymmetric centers present (there are 2n stereoisomers possible where n is the number of asymmetric centers). The individual stereoisomers may be obtained by resolving a racemic or non-racemic mixture of an intermediate at some appropriate stage of the synthesis, or by resolution of the compound by conventional means. The individual stereoisomers (including individual enantiomers and diastereoisomers) as well as racemic and non-racemic mixtures of stereoisomers are encompassed within the scope of the present invention, all of which are intended to be depicted by the structures of this specification unless otherwise specifically indicated.

“Isomers” are different compounds that have the same molecular formula.

“Stereoisomers” are isomers that differ only in the way the atoms are arranged in space.

“Enantiomers” are a pair of stereoisomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other. A 1:1 mixture of a pair of enantiomers is a “racemic” mixture. The term “(±)” is used to designate a racemic mixture where appropriate.

“Diastereoisomers” are stereoisomers that have at least two asymmetric atoms, but which are not mirror-images of each other.

The absolute stereochemistry is specified according to the Cahn Ingold Prelog R S system. When the compound is a pure enantiomer the stereochemistry at each chiral carbon may be specified by either R or S. Resolved compounds whose absolute configuration is unknown are designated (+) or (−) depending on the direction (dextro- or laevorotary) that they rotate the plane of polarized light at the wavelength of the sodium D line.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount that is sufficient to effect treatment, as defined below, when administered to a mammal in need of such treatment. The therapeutically effective amount will vary depending upon the subject and disease condition being treated, the weight and age of the subject, the severity of the disease condition, the manner of administration and the like, which can readily be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The term “treatment” or “treating” means any treatment of a disease in a mammal, including:

-   -   (i) preventing the disease, that is, causing the clinical         symptoms of the disease not to develop;     -   (ii) inhibiting the disease, that is, arresting the development         of clinical symptoms; and/or     -   (iii) relieving the disease, that is, causing the regression of         clinical symptoms.

In many cases, the compounds of this invention are capable of forming acid and/or base salts by virtue of the presence of amino and/or carboxyl groups or groups similar thereto.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” of a given compound refers to salts that retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the given compound, and which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable. Pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts can be prepared from inorganic and organic bases. Salts derived from inorganic bases include, by way of example only, sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium and magnesium salts. Salts derived from organic bases include, but are not limited to, salts of primary, secondary and tertiary amines, such as alkyl amines, dialkyl amines, trialkyl amines, substituted alkyl amines, di(substituted alkyl) amines, tri(substituted alkyl) amines, alkenyl amines, dialkenyl amines, trialkenyl amines, substituted alkenyl amines, di(substituted alkenyl)amines, tri(substituted alkenyl)amines, cycloalkyl amines, di(cycloalkyl)amines, tri(cycloalkyl)amines, substituted cycloalkyl amines, disubstituted cycloalkyl amine, trisubstituted cycloalkyl amines, cycloalkenyl amines, di(cycloalkenyl)amines, tri(cycloalkenyl)amines, substituted cycloalkenyl amines, disubstituted cycloalkenyl amine, trisubstituted cycloalkenyl amines, aryl amines, diaryl amines, triaryl amines, heteroaryl amines, diheteroaryl amines, triheteroaryl amines, heterocyclic amines, diheterocyclic amines, triheterocyclic amines, mixed di- and tri-amines where at least two of the substituents on the amine are different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, and the like. Also included are amines where the two or three substituents, together with the amino nitrogen, form a heterocyclic or heteroaryl group.

Specific examples of suitable amines include, by way of example only, isopropylamine, trimethyl amine, diethyl amine, tri(iso-propyl)amine, tri(n-propyl)amine, ethanolamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, tromethamine, lysine, arginine, histidine, caffeine, procaine, hydrabamine, choline, betaine, ethylenediamine, glucosamine, N-alkylglucamines, theobromine, purines, piperazine, piperidine, morpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, and the like.

Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts may be prepared from inorganic and organic acids. Salts derived from inorganic acids include hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like. Salts derived from organic acids include acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, p-toluene-sulfonic acid, salicylic acid, and the like.

As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents and the like. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active ingredient, its use in the therapeutic compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active ingredients can also be incorporated into the compositions.

“Coronary diseases” or “cardiovascular diseases” refer to diseases of the cardiovasculature arising from any one or more than one of, for example, heart failure (including congestive heart failure, diastolic heart failure and systolic heart failure), acute heart failure, ischemia, recurrent ischemia, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, angina (including exercise-induced angina, variant angina, stable angina, unstable angina), acute coronary syndrome, diabetes, and intermittent claudication.

“Intermittent claudication” means the pain associated with peripheral artery disease. “Peripheral artery disease” or PAD is a type of occlusive peripheral vascular disease (PVD). PAD affects the arteries outside the heart and brain. The most common symptom of PAD is a painful cramping in the hips, thighs, or calves when walking, climbing stairs, or exercising. The pain is called intermittent claudication. When listing the symptom intermittent claudication, it is intended to include both PAD and PVD

Arrhythmia refers to any abnormal heart rate. Bradycardia refers to abnormally slow heart rate whereas tachycardia refers to an abnormally rapid heart rate. As used herein, the treatment of arrhythmia is intended to include the treatment of supra ventricular tachycardias such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, atrial tachycardia, and the ventricular tachycardias (VTs), including idiopathic ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, pre-excitation syndrome, and Torsade de Pointes (TdP),

Where a given group (moiety) is described herein as being attached to a second group and the site of attachment is not explicit, the given group may be attached at any available site of the given group to any available site of the second group. For example, a “lower alkyl-substituted phenyl”, where the attachment sites are not explicit, may have any available site of the lower alkyl group attached to any available site of the phenyl group. In this regard, an “available site” is a site of the group at which a hydrogen of the group may be replaced with a substituent.

Nomenclature

The compounds of the present invention are named using ChemBioDraw Ultra 11.0. Other compounds or radicals may be named with common names, or systematic or non-systematic names. The naming and numbering of the compounds of the invention is illustrated with a representative compound of Formula I

which is named 1,3-dimethyl-6-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one.

Compounds of Formula (I)

Accordingly, in typical embodiments the present invention provides compounds that function as late sodium channel blockers. In typical embodiments the invention relates to compounds of Formula (I):

wherein

-   -   R¹ is         -   a) hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl,         -   b) —X—NR⁵R⁶,         -   c) —X—C(O)NR⁵R⁶,         -   d) —X—C(O)OR⁷,         -   e) —X—OR⁷,         -   f) —X—NR⁸—C(O)NR⁵R⁶,         -   g) —X—C(O)R⁷, or         -   h) —X-phenyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally             substituted by 1, 2, or 3 groups chosen from C₁₋₆ lower             alkyl, C₁₋₆ lower alkoxy, halo, and trifluoromethyl;         -   wherein         -   R⁵ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ optionally substituted lower alkyl,             and         -   R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ lower alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,             —C(NH)NH₂, —C(O)R⁷, —C(O)(CH₂)_(n)OR7, or —S(O)₂R⁷, wherein             -   n is 0 or 1, R⁷ is hydrogen, hydroxyl, optionally                 substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, optionally                 substituted monocyclic aryl, or 5 or 6 membered                 optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl, or             -   R⁵ and R⁶ along with the nitrogen to which they are                 attached join to form a 5 or 6 membered monocyclic                 heteroaryl or heterocyclyl ring;             -   R⁷ is hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl,                 optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkenyl, optionally                 substituted monocyclic aryl, or 5 or 6 membered                 optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl;             -   R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ lower alkyl;             -   X is optionally substituted C₁₋₆ linear or branched                 alkylene;     -   R² is         -   a) hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted             by halo, phenyl, heteroaryl, or cycloalkyl, in which said             phenyl, heteroaryl, or cycloalkyl groups are optionally             substituted by halo, hydroxyl, or alkoxy of 1-6 carbon             atoms;         -   b) —Y—NR²⁴R²⁵         -   c) —Y—C(O)NR²⁴R²⁵,         -   d) —Y—C(O)OR²⁷,         -   e) —Y—OR²⁷, or         -   f) —Y—NR²⁸—C(O)NR²⁴R²⁵, or         -   g) —Y—C(O)R²⁷,         -   wherein         -   R²⁴ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ optionally substituted lower alkyl,             and         -   R²⁵ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ lower alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆             alkoxy, —C(NH)NH₂, —C(O)R²⁶ or —S(O)₂R²⁶, wherein             -   R²⁶ is hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl,                 optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkenyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy,                 optionally substituted monocyclic aryl, or 5 or 6                 membered optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl,                 or         -   R²⁴ and R²⁵ along with the nitrogen to which they are             attached join to form a or 6 membered monocyclic heteroaryl             or heterocyclyl ring;         -   R²⁷ is hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl,             optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkenyl, optionally substituted             monocyclic aryl, or 5 or 6 membered optionally substituted             monocyclic heteroaryl;         -   R²⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ lower alkyl;         -   Y is a covalent bond, optionally substituted C₁₋₆ linear or             branched alkylene;         -   wherein the alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety is             optionally substituted with from 1 to 3 substituents             independently selected from the group consisting of             heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, halo, NO₂, CF₃, CN, OR²⁰,             SR²⁰, N(R²⁰)₂, S(O)R²², SO₂R²², SO₂N(R²⁰)₂, S(O)₃R²⁰,             P(O)(OR²⁰)₂, SO₂NR²⁰COR²², SO₂NR²⁰CO₂R²², SO₂NR²⁰CON(R²⁰)₂,             NR²⁰COR²², NR²⁰CO₂R²², NR²⁰CON(R²⁰)₂, NR²⁰C(NR²⁰)NHR²³,             COR²⁰, CO₂R²⁰, CON(R²⁰)₂, CONR²⁰SO₂R²², NR²⁰SO₂R²²,             SO₂NR²⁰CO₂R²², OCONR²⁰SO₂R²², OC(O)R²⁰C(O)OCH₂OC(O)R²⁰, and             OCON(R²⁰)₂, and         -   further wherein each optional heteroaryl, aryl, and             heterocyclyl substituent is further optionally substituted             with halo, NO₂, alkyl, CF₃, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino,             alkyl or aryl or heteroaryl amide, NR²⁰COR²², NR²⁰SO₂R²²,             COR²⁰, CO₂R²⁰, CON(R²⁰)₂, NR²⁰CON(R²⁰)₂, OC(O)R²⁰,             OC(O)N(R²⁰)₂, S(O)₃R²⁰, P(O)(OR²⁰)₂, SR²⁰, S(O)R²², SO₂R²²,             SO₂N(R²⁰)₂, CN, or OR²⁰;     -   R³ is optionally substituted mono or bicyclic heterocyclyl, mono         or bicyclic aryl, or mono or bicyclic heteroaryl;         -   wherein the aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moiety is             optionally substituted with from 1 to 3 substituents             independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl,             heterocyclyl, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, halo, NO₂, CF₃, CN,             OR²⁰, SR²⁰, N(R²⁰)₂, S(O)R²², SO₂R²², SO₂N(R²⁰)₂, S(O)₃R²⁰,             P(O)(OR²⁰)₂, SO₂NR²⁰COR²², SO₂NR²⁰CO₂R²², SO₂NR²⁰CON(R²⁰)₂,             NR²⁰COR²², NR²⁰CO₂R²², NR²⁰CON(R²)₂, NR²⁰C(NR²⁰)NHR²³,             COR²⁰, CO₂R²⁰, CON(R²⁰)₂, CONR²⁰SO₂R²², NR²⁰SO₂R²²,             SO₂NR²⁰CO₂R²², OCONR²⁰SO₂R²², OC(O)R²⁰, C(O)OCH₂OC(O)R²⁰,             and OCON(R²⁰)₂, and         -   further wherein each optional alkyl, heteroaryl, aryl, and             heterocyclyl substituent is further optionally substituted             with halo, NO₂, alkyl, CF₃, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino,             alkyl or aryl or heteroaryl amide, NR²⁰COR²², NR²⁰SO₂R²²,             COR²⁰, CO₂R²⁰, CON(R²⁰)₂, NR²⁰CON(R²⁰)₂, OC(O)R²⁰,             OC(O)N(R²⁰)₂, S(O)₃R²⁰, P(O)(OR²⁰)₂, SR²⁰, S(O)R²², SO₂R²²,             SO₂N(R²⁰)₂, CN, or OR²⁰;     -   R⁴ is hydrogen, halo, optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl,         optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkenyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, or cycloalkyl,     -   R²⁰ and R²² are independently selected from the group consisting         of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₅ alkyl, C₂₋₁₅ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₅ alkynyl,         heterocyclyl, aryl, and heteroaryl,     -   wherein the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, and         heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted with from 1 to 3         substituents independently selected from halo, alkyl, mono- or         dialkylamino, alkyl or aryl or heteroaryl amide, CN, O—C₁₋₆         alkyl, CF₃, aryl, and heteroaryl;     -   and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, prodrugs, or         solvates thereof.

In one embodiment R¹ is alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with —OR, —C(O)R, or —NH(CO)OR, in which R is hydrogen or alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms. Within this group is an embodiment in which R² is hydrogen, trifluoromethyl, or alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms optionally substituted by hydroxyl, phenyl, or heteroaryl. Within this subgroup is an embodiment in which R³ is phenyl optionally substituted by 1, 2 or 3 groups chosen from halo, alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1-6 carbon atoms, phenyl, and phenoxy, said alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl, and phenoxy optionally substituted by halo or alkoxy of 1-6 carbon atoms, particularly where R⁴ is hydrogen, and halo is chloro or fluoro and R³ is phenyl substituted by 1, 2, or 3 groups chosen from phenyl, phenoxy, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, fluorine, and chlorine, especially where R¹ is —CH₂CH₂CO(O)R, wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkoxy of 1-4 carbon atoms, and R² is t-butyl.

In another embodiment, R¹ is methyl or 2-hydroxyethyl, and R² is t-butyl, pyridyl, or benzyl, particularly where R³ is 4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl or 3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl.

Further Embodiments

In typical embodiments, the compounds provided by the present invention are effective in the treatment of conditions known to respond to administration of late sodium channel blockers, including cardiovascular diseases such as atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, Prinzmetal's (variant) angina, stable angina, unstable angina, ischemia and reperfusion injury in cardiac, kidney, liver and the brain, exercise induced angina, congestive heart disease, and myocardial infarction. In some embodiments, compounds provided by the present invention which function as late sodium channel blockers may be used in the treatment of diseases affecting the neuromuscular system resulting in pain, seizures, or paralysis, or in the treatment of diabetes and disease states related to diabetes, such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Certain compounds of the invention may also possess a sufficient activity in modulating neuronal sodium channels and may have appropriate pharmacokinetic properties such that they may active with regard to the central and/or peripheral nervous system. Consequently, some compounds of the invention may also be of use in the treatment of pain of neuropathic origin.

In typical embodiments, the present invention is intended to encompass the compounds disclosed herein, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutically acceptable esters, tautomeric forms, polymorphs, and prodrugs of such compounds. In some embodiments, the present invention includes a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a pharmaceutically acceptable ester, a hydrate of an addition salt, a tautomeric form, a polymorph, an enantiomer, a mixture of enantiomers, a stereoisomer or mixture of stereoisomers (pure or as a racemic or non-racemic mixture) of a compound described herein, e.g. a compound of Formula (I); such as a compound of Formula (I) named herein.

The invention also included compounds of Formula I in which from 1 to n hydrogens attached to a carbon atom is/are replaced by deuterium, in which n is the number of hydrogens in the molecule. Such compounds exhibit increased resistance to metabolism, and are thus useful for increasing the half life of any compound of Formula I when administered to a mammal. See, for example, Foster, “Deuterium Isotope Effects in Studies of Drug Metabolism”, Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 5(12):524-527 (1984). Such compounds are synthesized by means well known in the art, for example by employing starting materials in which one or more hydrogens have been replaced by deuterium.

Combination Therapy

Coronary patients being treated for an acute cardiovascular disease event by administration of late sodium channel blockers often exhibit diseases or conditions that benefit from treatment with other therapeutic agents. These diseases or conditions can be of the cardiovascular nature or can be related to pulmonary disorders, metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and the like. Additionally, some coronary patients being treated for an acute cardiovascular disease event by administration of late sodium channel blockers exhibit conditions that can benefit from treatment with therapeutic agents that are antibiotics, analgesics, and/or antidepressants and anti-anxiety agents.

Cardiovascular related diseases or conditions that can benefit from a combination treatment of late sodium channel blockers with other therapeutic agents include, without limitation, angina, including stable angina, unstable angina (UA), exercised-induced angina, variant angina, arrhythmias, intermittent claudication, myocardial infarction including non-STE myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), heart failure including congestive (or chronic) heart failure, acute heart failure, or recurrent ischemia.

Therapeutic agents suitable for treating cardiovascular related diseases or conditions include anti-anginals, heart failure agents, antithrombotic agents, antiarrhythmic agents, antihypertensive agents, and lipid lowering agents.

The co-administration of late sodium channel blockers with therapeutic agents suitable for treating cardiovascular related conditions allows enhancement in the standard of care therapy the patient is currently receiving.

Anti-anginals include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and nitrates. Beta blockers reduce the heart's need for oxygen by reducing its workload resulting in a decreased heart rate and less vigorous heart contraction. Examples of beta-blockers include acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), and timolol (Blocadren).

Nitrates dilate the arteries and veins thereby increasing coronary blood flow and decreasing blood pressure. Examples of nitrates include nitroglycerin, nitrate patches, isosorbide dinitrate, and isosorbide-5-mononitrate.

Calcium channel blockers prevent the normal flow of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels causing the blood vessels to relax thereby increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. Examples of calcium channel blockers include amlodipine (Norvasc, Lotrel), bepridil (Vascor), diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), and nicardipine.

Agents used to treat heart failure include diuretics, ACE inhibitors, vasodilators, and cardiac glycosides. Diuretics eliminate excess fluids in the tissues and circulation thereby relieving many of the symptoms of heart failure. Examples of diuretics include hydrochlorothiazide, metolazone (Zaroxolyn), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), spironolactone (Aldactone), and eplerenone (Inspra).

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce the workload on the heart by expanding the blood vessels and decreasing resistance to blood flow. Examples of ACE inhibitors include benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik).

Vasodilators reduce pressure on the blood vessels by making them relax and expand. Examples of vasodilators include hydralazine, diazoxide, prazosin, clonidine, and methyldopa. ACE inhibitors, nitrates, potassium channel activators, and calcium channel blockers also act as vasodilators.

Cardiac glycosides are compounds that increase the force of the heart's contractions. These compounds strengthen the pumping capacity of the heart and improve irregular heartbeat activity. Examples of cardiac glycosides include digitalis, digoxin, and digitoxin.

Antithrombotics inhibit the clotting ability of the blood. There are three main types of antithrombotics—platelet inhibitors, anticoagulants, and thrombolytic agents.

Platelet inhibitors inhibit the clotting activity of platelets, thereby reducing clotting in the arteries. Examples of platelet inhibitors include acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), ticlopidine, clopidogrel (plavix), dipyridamole, cilostazol, persantine sulfinpyrazone, dipyridamole, indomethacin, and glycoprotein 11b/111a inhibitors, such as abciximab, tirofiban, and eptifibatide (Integrelin). Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers also have a platelet-inhibiting effect.

Anticoagulants prevent blood clots from growing larger and prevent the formation of new clots. Examples of anticoagulants include bivalirudin (Angiomax), warfarin (Coumadin), unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin, danaparoid, lepirudin, and argatroban.

Thrombolytic agents act to break down an existing blood clot. Examples of thrombolytic agents include streptokinase, urokinase, and tenecteplase (TNK), and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA).

Antiarrhythmic agents are used to treat disorders of the heart rate and rhythm. Examples of antiarrhythmic agents include amiodarone, quinidine, procainamide, lidocaine, and propafenone. Cardiac glycosides and beta blockers are also used as antiarrhythmic agents.

Antihypertensive agents are used to treat hypertension, a condition in which the blood pressure is consistently higher than normal. Hypertension is associated with many aspects of cardiovascular disease, including congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, and clot formation. Examples of antihypertensive agents include alpha-1-adrenergic antagonists, such as prazosin (Minipress), doxazosin mesylate (Cardura), prazosin hydrochloride (Minipress), prazosin, polythiazide (Minizide), and terazosin hydrochloride (Hytrin); beta-adrenergic antagonists, such as propranolol (Inderal), nadolol (Corgard), timolol (Blocadren), metoprolol (Lopressor), and pindolol (Visken); central alpha-adrenoceptor agonists, such as clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres), clonidine hydrochloride and chlorthalidone (Clorpres, Combipres), guanabenz Acetate (Wytensin), guanfacine hydrochloride (Tenex), methyldopa (Aldomet), methyldopa and chlorothiazide (Aldoclor), methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide (Aldoril); combined alpha/beta-adrenergic antagonists, such as labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), Carvedilol (Coreg); adrenergic neuron blocking agents, such as guanethidine (Ismelin), reserpine (Serpasil); central nervous system-acting antihypertensives, such as clonidine (Catapres), methyldopa (Aldomet), guanabenz (Wytensin); anti-angiotensin II agents; ACE inhibitors, such as perindopril (Aceon) captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril); angiotensin-II receptor antagonists, such as Candesartan (Atacand), Eprosartan (Teveten), Irbesartan (Avapro), Losartan (Cozaar), Telmisartan (Micardis), Valsartan (Diovan); calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil (Calan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia); diuretics; direct vasodilators, such as nitroprusside (Nipride), diazoxide (Hyperstat IV), hydralazine (Apresoline), minoxidil (Loniten), verapamil; and potassium channel activators, such as aprikalim, bimakalim, cromakalim, emakalim, nicorandil, and pinacidil.

Lipid lowering agents are used to lower the amounts of cholesterol or fatty sugars present in the blood. Examples of lipid lowering agents include bezafibrate (Bezalip), ciprofibrate (Modalim), and statins, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor), mevastatin, pitavastatin (Livalo, Pitava) pravastatin (Lipostat), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor).

In this invention, the patient in need of the late sodium channel blocker often suffers from secondary medical conditions such as one or more of a metabolic disorder, a pulmonary disorder, a peripheral vascular disorder, or a gastrointestinal disorder. Such patients can benefit from treatment of a combination therapy comprising administering to the patient the compounds of the invention in combination with at least one therapeutic agent.

Pulmonary disorder refers to any disease or condition related to the lungs. Examples of pulmonary disorders include, without limitation, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and emphysema.

Examples of therapeutics agents used to treat pulmonary disorders include bronchodilators including beta2 agonists and anticholinergics, corticosteroids, and electrolyte supplements. Specific examples of therapeutic agents used to treat pulmonary disorders include epinephrine, terbutaline (Brethaire, Bricanyl), albuterol (Proventil), salmeterol (Serevent, Serevent Diskus), theophylline, ipratropium bromide (Atrovent), tiotropium (Spiriva), methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol, Medrol), magnesium, and potassium.

Examples of metabolic disorders include, without limitation, diabetes, including type I and type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, obesity, glucose intolerance, hypertension, elevated serum cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides.

Examples of therapeutic agents used to treat metabolic disorders include antihypertensive agents and lipid lowering agents, as described in the section “Cardiovascular Agent Combination Therapy” above. Additional therapeutic agents used to treat metabolic disorders include insulin, sulfonylureas, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and incretin mimetics.

Peripheral vascular disorders are disorders related to the blood vessels (arteries and veins) located outside the heart and brain, including, for example peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition that develops when the arteries that supply blood to the internal organs, arms, and legs become completely or partially blocked as a result of atherosclerosis.

Gastrointestinal disorders refer to diseases and conditions associated with the gastrointestinal tract. Examples of gastrointestinal disorders include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroenteritis, gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, and pancreatitis.

Examples of therapeutic agents used to treat gastrointestinal disorders include proton pump inhibitors, such as pantoprazole (Protonix), lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec), rabeprazole; H2 blockers, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid); prostaglandins, such as misoprostoL (Cytotec); sucralfate; and antacids.

Patients presenting with an acute coronary disease event may exhibit conditions that benefit from administration of therapeutic agent or agents that are antibiotics, analgesics, antidepressant and anti-anxiety agents in combination with ranolazine.

Antibiotics are therapeutic agents that kill, or stop the growth of, microorganisms, including both bacteria and fungi. Example of antibiotic agents include β-Lactam antibiotics, including penicillins (amoxicillin), cephalosporins, such as cefazolin, cefuroxime, cefadroxil (Duricef), cephalexin (Keflex), cephradine (Velosef), cefaclor (Ceclor), cefuroxime axtel (Ceftin), cefprozil (Cefzil), loracarbef (Lorabid), cefixime (Suprax), cefpodoxime proxetil (Vantin), ceftibuten (Cedax), cefdinir (Omnicef), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), carbapenems, and monobactams; tetracyclines, such as tetracycline; macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin; aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin; quinolones such as ciprofloxacin; cyclic peptides, such as vancomycin, streptogramins, polymyxins; lincosamides, such as clindamycin; oxazolidinoes, such as linezolid; and sulfa antibiotics, such as sulfisoxazole.

Analgesics are therapeutic agents that are used to relieve pain. Examples of analgesics include opiates and morphinomimetics, such as fentanyl and morphine; paracetamol; NSAIDs, and COX-2 inhibitors.

Antidepressant and anti-anxiety agents include those agents used to treat anxiety disorders, depression, and those used as sedatives and tranquillers. Examples of antidepressant and anti-anxiety agents include benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, lorazepam, and midazolam; enzodiazepines; barbiturates; glutethimide; chloral hydrate; meprobamate; sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral, Apo-Sertral, Asentra, Gladem, Serlift, Stimuloton); escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Fluctin, Fontex, Prodep, Fludep, Lovan); venlafaxine (Effexor XR, Efexor); citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil, Talohexane); paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat, Aropax); trazodone (Desyrel); amitriptyline (Elavil); and bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban).

Pharmaceutical Compositions and Administration

Compounds provided in accordance with the present invention are usually administered in the form of pharmaceutical compositions. This invention therefore provides pharmaceutical compositions that contain, as the active ingredient, one or more of the compounds described, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, including inert solid diluents and fillers, diluents, including sterile aqueous solution and various organic solvents, permeation enhancers, solubilizers and adjuvants. The pharmaceutical compositions may be administered alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents. Such compositions are prepared in a manner well known in the pharmaceutical art (see, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mace Publishing Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 17th Ed. (1985); and Modern Pharmaceutics, Marcel Dekker, Inc. 3rd Ed. (G. S. Banker & C. T. Rhodes, Eds.)

The pharmaceutical compositions may be administered in either single or multiple doses by any of the accepted modes of administration of agents having similar utilities, for example as described in those patents and patent applications incorporated by reference, including rectal, buccal, intranasal and transdermal routes, by intra-arterial injection, intravenously, intraperitoneally, parenterally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, orally, topically, as an inhalant, or via an impregnated or coated device such as a stent, for example, or an artery-inserted cylindrical polymer.

One mode for administration is parenteral, particularly by injection. The forms in which the novel compositions of the present invention may be incorporated for administration by injection include aqueous or oil suspensions, or emulsions, with sesame oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, or peanut oil, as well as elixirs, mannitol, dextrose, or a sterile aqueous solution, and similar pharmaceutical vehicles. Aqueous solutions in saline are also conventionally used for injection, but less preferred in the context of the present invention. Ethanol, glycerol, propylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like (and suitable mixtures thereof), cyclodextrin derivatives, and vegetable oils may also be employed. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. The prevention of the action of microorganisms can be brought about by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like.

Sterile injectable solutions are prepared by incorporating a compound according to the present invention in the required amount in the appropriate solvent with various other ingredients as enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the various sterilized active ingredients into a sterile vehicle which contains the basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum-drying and freeze-drying techniques which yield a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.

Oral administration is another route for administration of compounds in accordance with the invention. Administration may be via capsule or enteric coated tablets, or the like. In making the pharmaceutical compositions that include at least one compound described herein, the active ingredient is usually diluted by an excipient and/or enclosed within such a carrier that can be in the form of a capsule, sachet, paper or other container. When the excipient serves as a diluent, it can be in the form of a solid, semi-solid, or liquid material (as above), which acts as a vehicle, carrier or medium for the active ingredient. Thus, the compositions can be in the form of tablets, pills, powders, lozenges, sachets, cachets, elixirs, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, syrups, aerosols (as a solid or in a liquid medium), ointments containing, for example, up to 10% by weight of the active compound, soft and hard gelatin capsules, sterile injectable solutions, and sterile packaged powders.

Some examples of suitable excipients include lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starches, gum acacia, calcium phosphate, alginates, tragacanth, gelatin, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, sterile water, syrup, and methyl cellulose. The formulations can additionally include: lubricating agents such as talc, magnesium stearate, and mineral oil; wetting agents; emulsifying and suspending agents; preserving agents such as methyl and propylhydroxy-benzoates; sweetening agents; and flavoring agents.

The compositions of the invention can be formulated so as to provide quick, sustained or delayed release of the active ingredient after administration to the patient by employing procedures known in the art. Controlled release drug delivery systems for oral administration include osmotic pump systems and dissolutional systems containing polymer-coated reservoirs or drug-polymer matrix formulations. Examples of controlled release systems are given in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,770; 4,326,525; 4,902514; and 5,616,345. Another formulation for use in the methods of the present invention employs transdermal delivery devices (“patches”). Such transdermal patches may be used to provide continuous or discontinuous infusion of the compounds of the present invention in controlled amounts. The construction and use of transdermal patches for the delivery of pharmaceutical agents is well known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,023,252, 4,992,445 and 5,001,139. Such patches may be constructed for continuous, pulsatile, or on demand delivery of pharmaceutical agents.

The compositions are preferably formulated in a unit dosage form. The term “unit dosage forms” refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human subjects and other mammals, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect, in association with a suitable pharmaceutical excipient (e.g., a tablet, capsule, ampoule). The compounds are generally administered in a pharmaceutically effective amount. Preferably, for oral administration, each dosage unit contains from 1 mg to 2 g of a compound described herein, and for parenteral administration, preferably from 0.1 to 700 mg of a compound a compound described herein. It will be understood, however, that the amount of the compound actually administered usually will be determined by a physician, in the light of the relevant circumstances, including the condition to be treated, the chosen route of administration, the actual compound administered and its relative activity, the age, weight, and response of the individual patient, the severity of the patient's symptoms, and the like.

For preparing solid compositions such as tablets, the principal active ingredient is mixed with a pharmaceutical excipient to form a solid preformulation composition containing a homogeneous mixture of a compound of the present invention. When referring to these preformulation compositions as homogeneous, it is meant that the active ingredient is dispersed evenly throughout the composition so that the composition may be readily subdivided into equally effective unit dosage forms such as tablets, pills and capsules.

The tablets or pills of the present invention may be coated or otherwise compounded to provide a dosage form affording the advantage of prolonged action, or to protect from the acid conditions of the stomach. For example, the tablet or pill can comprise an inner dosage and an outer dosage component, the latter being in the form of an envelope over the former. The two components can be separated by an enteric layer that serves to resist disintegration in the stomach and permit the inner component to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety of materials can be used for such enteric layers or coatings, such materials including a number of polymeric acids and mixtures of polymeric acids with such materials as shellac, cetyl alcohol, and cellulose acetate.

Compositions for inhalation or insufflation include solutions and suspensions in pharmaceutically acceptable, aqueous or organic solvents, or mixtures thereof, and powders. The liquid or solid compositions may contain suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients as described supra. Preferably, the compositions are administered by the oral or nasal respiratory route for local or systemic effect. Compositions in preferably pharmaceutically acceptable solvents may be nebulized by use of inert gases. Nebulized solutions may be inhaled directly from the nebulizing device or the nebulizing device may be attached to a facemask tent, or intermittent positive pressure breathing machine. Solution, suspension, or powder compositions may be administered, preferably orally or nasally, from devices that deliver the formulation in an appropriate manner.

Synthesis of the Compounds of Formula (I)

The compounds of the invention may be prepared using methods disclosed herein and routine modifications thereof which will be apparent given the disclosure herein and methods well known in the art. Conventional and well-known synthetic methods may be used in addition to the teachings herein. The synthesis of typical compounds described herein, e.g. compounds having structures described by one or more of Formula (I), may be accomplished as described in the following examples. If available, reagents may be purchased commercially, e.g. from Sigma Aldrich or other chemical suppliers.

General Syntheses:

Typical embodiments of compounds in accordance with the present invention may be synthesized using the general reaction schemes described below. It will be apparent given the description herein that the general schemes may be altered by substitution of the starting materials with other materials having similar structures to result in products that are correspondingly different. Descriptions of syntheses follow to provide numerous examples of how the starting materials may vary to provide corresponding products. Given a desired product for which the substituent groups are defined, the necessary starting materials generally may be determined by inspection. Starting materials are typically obtained from commercial sources or synthesized using published methods. For synthesizing compounds which are embodiments of the present invention, inspection of the structure of the compound to be synthesized will provide the identity of each substituent group. The identity of the final product will generally render apparent the identity of the necessary starting materials by a simple process of inspection, given the examples herein.

Synthetic Reaction Parameters

The terms “solvent,” “inert organic solvent” or “inert solvent” refer to a solvent inert under the conditions of the reaction being described in conjunction therewith (including, for example, benzene, toluene, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran (“THF”), dimethylformamide (“DMF”), chloroform, methylene chloride (or dichloromethane), diethyl ether, methanol, pyridine and the like). Unless specified to the contrary, the solvents used in the reactions of the present invention are inert organic solvents, and the reactions are carried out under an inert gas, preferably nitrogen.

The term “q.s.” means adding a quantity sufficient to achieve a stated function, e.g., to bring a solution to the desired volume (i.e., 100%).

Synthesis of the Compounds of Formula I

One method of preparing compounds of Formula I is shown in Reaction Scheme I.

Step 1—Preparation of Formula (2)

The compound of formula (2) is made by replacing the fluoro group adjacent to the nitro moiety on the commercially available formula (1) compound (I.e., 4-bromo-2-fluoro-1-nitrobenzene or the like) with a compound of formula R¹NH₃Cl in the presence of a base. The reaction is carried out in an appropriate organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetone, ethylacetate, acetonitrile, DMF, or the like, at a temperature of around 50° C. to around 80° C., for about 12-24 hours. The reaction mixture is then allowed to cool to room temperature, approximately 2 to 5 hours. When the reaction is substantially complete, the product of formula (2) is isolated by conventional means, for example by removal of the solvent under reduced pressure, followed by chromatography of the residue on silica gel. Alternatively, the compound of formula (2) is used in the next step without purification.

Step 2—Preparation of Formula (3)

The formula (2) nitro compound is then reduced to the corresponding amine analog, compound (3), via conventional reduction techniques. Suitable methods include, but are not limited to, reduction with Na₂S₂O₄ and Na₂CO₃ at a temperature ranging from 20° C. to 80° C. for 10 minutes to 12 hours. After the reaction is allowed to cool to room temperature the product may be extracted by dilution with ethyl acetate followed by washing with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, followed by brine. The combined organic phase are then be dried, for example using magnesium sulfate, and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure to provide the aniline compound of formula (3) in crude form, which can be used in the next step without further purification.

Alternatively, the nitro group can be reduced by reaction with hydrazine and a Raney-Nickel catalyst. In this method, the nitro compound is placed in a methanol solution to which the hydrazine is added. Then the reaction mixture is heated to approximately 50° C. to 80° C. and the Raney-Nickel catalyst gently added to insure even and steady evolution of the nitrogen gas. Suitable additional reagents may also include tin (II) chloride, iron, zinc, and others. The reaction proceeds for approximately 1 hour whereupon the reaction mixture is allowed to cool to room temperature, the catalyst filtered off, and the filter cake washed with methanol. The resulting solution may be concentrated and purified using conventional methods, i.e., chromatography using a methanol/dichloromethane gradient to provide the desired aniline.

Step 3—Preparation of Formula (4)

The formation of the pyrimidine ring and the addition of the R³ substituent is achieved by reacting the aniline compound of formula (3) with an ethyl oxoacetate derivative having the desired R² moiety, i.e., a compound of formula (5). The compound of formula (3) is dissolved in 1-3% v/v acetic acid in ethanol and then the compound of formula (5) is added. The reaction is stirred at 60° C. to 90° C. for 12 to 24 hours. The resulting suspension is cooled to room temperature and the final product obtained by the addition of a polar solvent such as ethanol, followed by filtration and washing with additional polar solvent. The compound of formula (4) can then be dried under vacuum to remove any remaining solvent.

Alternatively, the pyrimidine ring can be formed by first dissolving the aniline compound of formula (3) into acetonitrile followed by the addition of a catalytic drop of acid, such as glacial acetic acid. The oxoacetate derivative is then added and the mixture heated for approximately 20 to 40 minutes in a microwave at 120° C. The reaction mixture may them be filtered, concentrated, and purified using column chromatography eluting with MeOH/dichloromethane gradient to provide the compound of formula (4).

Step 4—Preparation of Formula I

As shown above, the bromo compound of formula (4) is reacted with an appropriately substituted boronic acid derivative, for example with 4-trifluoromethoxyphenylboronic acid, in an aqueous solvent mixture, for example acetonitrile/aqueous sodium carbonate or another suitable solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide. The reaction is typically conducted in the presence of a metal catalyst with an appropriate ligand, for example dichlorobis-(triphenylphosphine) palladium(II), at a temperature of about 150° C., under irradiation in a microwave, for about 10 minutes to about 1 hour. When the reaction is substantially complete, the product of Formula I is isolated by conventional means, for example by partitioning the crude reaction mixture between ethyl acetate/aqueous sodium hydroxide, separating the organic layer, removing the solvent under reduced pressure, followed by chromatography of the residue, preferably preparatory TLC.

Alternative Preparation in which R¹ is a Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycle

Compounds of Formula I wherein R¹ is a nitrogen-containing heterocycle may be prepared as described above with the additional requirement that the nitrogen atom in the R¹ heterocycle be protected by a suitable protecting group such as an N-tert-butoxycarbonyl group. If desired the protecting group may be removed after Step 4 using conventional techniques, i.e., heating at 60° C. to 80° C. in a mixture of acetonitrile and hydrochloric acid. The acidic mixture is neutralized after cooling with an aqueous base such as KOH and the product extracted using dichloromethane.

Alternative Preparation—Secondary Modification of R¹ or R²

It will be appreciated that secondary modification may be made to the R¹ or R² moiety after the compound of Formula I has been made. As was discussed in the R¹ heterocycles, this type of modification generally will involve the use of a protected terminal R¹ or R² amino group. Once the protecting group is removed, the terminal R¹ or R² amino group may be modified by reaction with any number of reactants allowing for the addition of a desired R⁵ or R⁷ or R²⁵ or R²⁷ substituent.

In one type of secondary modification, the deprotected compound of Formula I is dissolved in the appropriate non-protic solvent, i.e., acetonitrile or the like, and then an acidic version of the desired R⁵ substituent, R⁶—C(O)—OH, is added to the reaction mixture followed by 2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) and diisopropylethyleneamine. After briefly heating to approximately 50° to 70° C., the reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and the precipitated end product filtered off and washed with additional solvent to provide the final product of Formula I.

In another example of secondary modification, after the deprotected compound of Formula I is dissolved in the appropriate non-protic solvent, i.e., acetonitrile, it is placed in a microwave vessel with methyl formate and heated at 135° C. to 150° C. for 15 to 30 minutes. Cooling and filtration will provide the desired end product.

In still another example of secondary modification, the deprotected compound of Formula I is dissolved in acetonitrile and dichloromethane. A base such as diisopropylethyleneamine is then added along with {1H]-pyrazole-1-hydroxamidine hydrochloride. The reaction is heated at 30° C. to 50° C. for 15 to 30 minutes. Cooling and filtration will provide a compound of Formula I wherein R⁴ is —C(NH)NH₂.

In still another example of secondary modification to the R¹ or R² moieties wherein the moiety has a terminal ethyl ester can also be accomplished, for example, as illustrated below in Reaction Scheme II. Using procedures described above, compound 6, that conforms to formula (I) is prepared. The compound of formula 7 is obtained from compound 6 following reaction with excess MeLi in THF. Compound 8 is obtained from compound 7 using conventional hydrolysis methods such as, for example, with LiOH. Compound 9 is then obtained from compound 7 via 2-step procedure involving O-alkylation with ethyl bromoacetate in the presence of NaH and subsequent hydrolysis as described before.

Alternative Preparation—Modification Using Bromination

Hydrogen atoms on the phenyl portion of the quinoxalinone core or on the phenyl portion of compounds 1-3 can be substituted using bromination reactions. It will be appreciated that this type of modification can be used to synthesis a desired compound of formula I from a non-brominated precursor or to modify a non-brominated derivative of any of the intermediate compounds 2-4. Once the bromine moiety has been added, the synthesis of the compound of Formula I can proceed as described above.

It will be appreciated that bromination may result in the production of a number of isomeric products any or all of which may be isolated and purified using conventional techniques.

The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the examples which follow represent techniques discovered by the inventor to function well in the practice of the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferred modes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Example 1 Preparation of a Compound of Formula (2)

A. Preparation of a Compound of Formula (2) in which R¹ is Methyl and R⁴ is Hydrogen

To a suspension of 4-bromo-2-fluoro-1-nitrobenzene (3.0 g) in acetonitrile (100 mL) was added 3.7 g of methylamine hydrochloride followed by 12 mL of N,N-diisopropylethylamine. The mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 16 hours. After cooling down to room temperature, the reaction mixture was concentrated, dissolved in ethyl acetate (100 mL) and washed 3 times with water, then brine, and dried over sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, providing 5-bromo-N-methyl-2-nitroaniline as an orange solid. The product was used in the next step without further purification.

B. Preparation of Compounds of Formula (2), Varying R¹.

Similarly, following the procedure of 1A, but substituting methylamine hydrochloride with N-Boc-ethylenediamine, the following compound was obtained:

-   tert-butyl 2-(5-bromo-2-nitrophenylamino)ethylcarbamate.     Similarly, following the procedure of 1A, but substituting     4-bromo-2-fluoro-1-nitrobenzene with     5-bromo-2-fluoro-1-nitrobenzene, the following compound was     obtained: -   4-bromo-N-methyl-2-nitroaniline.

C. Preparation of Compounds of Formula (2), Varying R¹

Similarly, following the procedure of 1A, but substituting methylamine hydrochloride with other compounds of formula R¹NH₂.HCl, other compounds of formula (2) are prepared.

Example 2 Preparation of a Compound of Formula (3)

A. Preparation of a Compound of Formula (3) in which R¹ is Methyl and R⁴ is Hydrogen

5-bromo-N-methyl-2-nitroaniline (1.5 g) was dissolved in methanol (60 mL) by heating to 80° C. Hydrazine hydrate was added (3.2 mL) followed by Raney Nickel (50% slurry in water, 6 drops) and the reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was filtered through Celite® and concentrated under reduced pressure, providing 5-bromo-N¹-methylbenzene-1,2-diamine as an amber oil. This product was used in the next step without further purification.

B. Further Compounds of Formula (3).

Similarly, but substituting 5-bromo-N-methyl-2-nitroaniline with tert-butyl 2-(5-bromo-2-nitrophenylamino)ethylcarbamate or 4-bromo-N-methyl-2-nitroaniline, the following compounds were obtained:

-   tert-butyl 2-(2-amino-5-bromophenylamino)ethylcarbamate; and -   4-bromo-N′-methylbenzene-1,2-diamine.     C. Preparation of other Compounds of Formula (3)

Similarly, following the procedure of 2A, but substituting 5-bromo-N-methyl-2-nitroaniline with other compounds of formula (2), other compounds of formula (3) are prepared.

Example 3 Preparation of a Compound of Formula (4)

A Preparation of a Compound Formula (4) in which R¹ is Methyl, R² is Methyl, and R⁴ is Hydrogen

To a solution of crude 5-bromo-N¹-methylbenzene-1,2-diamine in ethanol (5 mL) 0.366 mL of ethyl pyruvate was added. To that mixture sufficient acetic acid was added to provide a 1% v/v acetic acod in ethanol solution. The reaction mixture was heated in a microwave reactor at 120° C. for 20 minutes and allowed to cool to room temperature. The yellow precipitate was collected by filtration and washed with two 5 mL portions of ethanol. The yellow solid was dried under vacuum to provide 7-bromo-1,3-dimethylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one.

MS (ESI) m/z 254.9 (M+H⁺).

B. Preparation of Compounds of Formula (4). Varying R¹ and R²

Similarly, but substituting 5-bromo-N¹-methylbenzene-1,2-diamine with tert-butyl 2-(2-amino-5-bromophenylamino)ethylcarbamate or 4-bromo-N′-methylbenzene-1,2-diamine, and substituting ethyl pyruvate with other ketoesters of formula (5), the following compounds were obtained:

-   tert-butyl     2-(7-bromo-3-tert-butyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethylcarbamate; -   6-bromo-1,3-dimethylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   6-bromo-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   7-bromo-1-methylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   7-bromo-3-isopropyl-1-methylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   7-bromo-3-tert-butyl-1-methylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   ethyl 6-bromo-4-methyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate;     and -   7-bromo-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one.

C. Preparation of Other Compounds of Formula (4)

Similarly, following the procedure of 3A, and optionally substituting 5-bromo-N-methylbenzene-1,2-diamine with other compounds of formula (3), and optionally substituting ethyl pyruvate with other ketoesters of formula (5), other compounds of formula (4) are prepared.

D. Alternative Synthesis of Compounds of Formula (4).

tert-butyl 2-(7-bromo-3-tert-butyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethylcarbamate (360 mg, 0.85 mmol), the compound of formula (a), prepared as described in Example 3B, was dissolved in dioxane (1 mL) and reacted with 4N hydrochloric acid in dioxane (1 mL) at room temperature for 3 days. The solution was concentrated to provide 1-(2-aminoethyl)-7-bromo-3-tert-butylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one hydrochloride as a tan solid. This solid was dissolved in chloroform (8 mL), and acetoxyacetyl chloride (0.107 mL) and triethylamine (0.5 mL) were added in small portions over a period of 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then concentrated under reduced pressure, and the resulting 2-(2-(7-bromo-3-tert-butyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethylamino)-2-oxoethyl acetate (b) was crystallized from methanol, then taken up in ethyl acetate (10 mL) and washed 3 times with water, then brine, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to provide 280 mg of 2-(2-(7-bromo-3-tert-butyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethylamino)-2-oxoethyl acetate as an oil that crystallized upon standing into a white solid.

¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz) δ 8.25 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 1H); 7.90 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H); 7.70 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H); 7.51 (dd, J=8.4, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 4.28 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 2H); 3.40 (quartet, J=6.4 Hz, 2H); 2.09 (s, 3H); and 1.42 (s, 9H).

MS (ESI) m/z 423.9 (M+H⁺), 445.9 (M+Na⁺, base peak), 871.0 (2M+Na⁺).

2-(2-(7-Bromo-3-tert-butyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethylamino)-2-oxoethyl acetate was dissolved in 4 mL of 1:1 tetrahydrofuran/methanol, and 0.99 mL of aq. 1N LiOH was added. After 30 minutes of stirring at room temperature the reaction was complete. Hydrochloric acid was used to adjust the pH to 6, and the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate 3 times, the combined organic layers washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to provide 197 mg of N-(2-(7-bromo-3-tert-butyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)-2-hydroxyacetamide. The product was pure by TLC and was used in the next step (Suzuki coupling) without purification.

TLC (20:1 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) R_(f)=0.38.

Example 4 Preparation of a Compound of Formula I

A. Preparation of a Compound of Formula I in which R¹ and R² are both Methyl, R³ is 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl, and R⁴ is Hydrogen

In a 5 mL Smith Process™ vial 7-bromo-1,3-dimethylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one (83 mg), 4-trifluoromethoxylphenyl boronic acid (101 mg), potassium carbonate (34 mg), and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (38 mg) were all suspended in 3 mL of N,N-dimethylformamide. 2 drops of water were added, and the mixture heated for 30 minutes at 150° C. in an Emrys Optimizer™ microwave reactor. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure, and the residue was dissolved in 1 mL dimethylsulfoxide. Purification was performed using Gilson™ preparatory HPLC system using Phenomenex reverse phase C(18) column and water/acetonitrile as mobile phase with no buffer. After high-vacuum drying 1,3-dimethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-quinoxalin-2(1H)-one was obtained as a tan powder.

¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz) δ 7.98 (broad d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H); 7.84 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H); 7.76 (d, J=1.2 Hz, 1H); 7.68 (dd, J=8.4, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H); 3.74 (s, 3H); and 2.48 (s, 3H).

MS (ESI) m/z 335.0 (M+H⁺).

B. Preparation of Other Compounds of Formula I.

Similarly, using the methods described in Example 4A above, the following compounds were made:

-   2-hydroxy-N-(2-{2-oxo-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl}ethyl)acetamide; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   1,3-dimethyl-6-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   6-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1,3-dimethylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-6-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   7-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1-methylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(indolin-3-yl)-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   ethyl     4-methyl-3-oxo-6-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; -   ethyl     4-methyl-3-oxo-6-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; -   3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-(propan-2-yl)-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-(propan-2-yl)-7-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-6-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   N-(2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)-2-hydroxyacetamide; -   N-(2-{3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl}ethyl)-2-hydroxyacetamide; -   1-methyl-3-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-6-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1-methyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one;     and -   1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-6-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one.

2-hydroxy-N-(2-(2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)acetamide;

-   2-oxo-2-(2-(2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethylamino)ethyl     acetate; -   1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   7-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1,3-dimethylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   7-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1,3-dimethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   ethyl     4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; -   ethyl     4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; -   3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-isopropyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-isopropyl-1-methyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   2-hydroxy-N-(2-(3-t-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)acetamide; -   1-methyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   tert-butyl     2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetate; -   tert-butyl     2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetate; -   2-hydroxy-N-(2-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)acetamide; -   2-hydroxy-N-(2-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)acetamide; -   3-benzyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-benzyl-1-methyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-tert-butyl-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-tert-butyl-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-phenyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-phenyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-isopropyl-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-isopropyl-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   ethyl     2-(4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanoate; -   ethyl     2-(4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanoate; -   2-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetic     acid; -   3-tert-butyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   tert-butyl     3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoate; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-isopropyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(H)-one; -   ethyl     4-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-3-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; -   1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-isopropyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-tert-butyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   ethyl     6-(3-bromophenyl)-4-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-3-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; -   1-methyl-3-phenethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(indolin-3-yl)-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H); -   3-(4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-isobutyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   4-((3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)methyl)benzoic     acid; -   2-(2-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethoxy)acetic     acid; -   4-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic     acid; -   N-methyl-3-(4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanamide; -   3-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-benzoyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-isonicotinoyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(3-benzoyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   4-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(4-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic     acid; -   2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetic     acid; -   3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-(4-phenoxypiperidin-1-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-hydroxy-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(3-benzyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   4-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic     acid; -   3-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   1-methyl-3-(methyl(phenyl)amino)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-(phenylthio)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-phenoxy-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   1-methyl-3-(phenylamino)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   N-(2-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)methanesulfonamide; -   N-(2-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)methanesulfonamide; -   3-(1H-imidazol-2-ylthio)-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(4-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(2-methoxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(7-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3-tert-butyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-tert-butyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; -   2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(3-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   4-(3-tert-butyl-7-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-6-methoxy-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(7-(biphenyl-3-yl)-3-tert-butyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(2-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(2-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   (R)-3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic     acid; -   3-(2-oxo-3-(2-phenylpropan-2-yl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; -   3-(3-tert-butyl-6-methyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic     acid; and -   ethyl     4-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-3-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate.     C. Preparation of a Compound of Formula I in which R¹ is Methyl, R²     is Hydroxy, R³ is 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl, and R⁴ is Hydrogen

A solution of N³-methyl-4′-(trifluoromethoxy)biphenyl-3,4-diamine (1 g) in methylene chloride (35 ml) was cooled in an ice bath, and triethylamine (1.5 ml) was added, followed by dropwise addition of oxalyl chloride (670 mg). After 1 hour the solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was crystallized from methanol, to provide 3-hydroxy-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one (550 mg). H¹NMR satisfactory; MS (ESI) m/z 337.0 (M+H⁺).

Example 5

Hard gelatin capsules containing the following ingredients are prepared:

Quantity Ingredient (mg/capsule) Active Ingredient 30.0 Starch 305.0 Magnesium stearate 5.0 The above ingredients are mixed and filled into hard gelatin capsules.

Example 6

A tablet formula is prepared using the ingredients below:

Quantity Ingredient (mg/tablet) Active Ingredient 25.0 Cellulose, microcrystalline 200.0 Colloidal silicon dioxide 10.0 Stearic acid 5.0 The components are blended and compressed to form tablets.

Example 7

A dry powder inhaler formulation is prepared containing the following components:

Ingredient Weight % Active Ingredient 5 Lactose 95 The active ingredient is mixed with the lactose and the mixture is added to a dry powder inhaling appliance.

Example 8

Tablets, each containing 30 mg of active ingredient, are prepared as follows:

Quantity Ingredient (mg/tablet) Active Ingredient 30.0 mg Starch 45.0 mg Microcrystalline cellulose 35.0 mg Polyvinylpyrrolidone 4.0 mg (as 10% solution in sterile water) Sodium carboxymethyl starch 4.5 mg Magnesium stearate 0.5 mg Talc 1.0 mg Total 120 mg

The active ingredient, starch and cellulose are passed through a No. 20 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed thoroughly. The solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone is mixed with the resultant powders, which are then passed through a 16 mesh U.S. sieve. The granules so produced are dried at 50° C. to 60° C. and passed through a 16 mesh U.S. sieve. The sodium carboxymethyl starch, magnesium stearate, and talc, previously passed through a No. 30 mesh U.S. sieve, are then added to the granules which, after mixing, are compressed on a tablet machine to yield tablets each weighing 120 mg.

Example 9

Suppositories, each containing 25 mg of active ingredient are made as follows:

Ingredient Amount Active Ingredient   25 mg Saturated fatty acid glycerides to 2,000 mg

The active ingredient is passed through a No. 60 mesh U.S. sieve and suspended in the saturated fatty acid glycerides previously melted using the minimum heat necessary. The mixture is then poured into a suppository mold of nominal 2.0 g capacity and allowed to cool.

Example 10

Suspensions, each containing 50 mg of active ingredient per 5.0 mL dose are made as follows:

Ingredient Amount Active Ingredient 50.0 mg Xanthan gum  4.0 mg Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (11%) 50.0 mg Microcrystalline cellulose (89%) Sucrose 1.75 g Sodium benzoate 10.0 mg Flavor and Color q.v. Purified water to  5.0 mL

The active ingredient, sucrose and xanthan gum are blended, passed through a No. 10 mesh U.S. sieve, and then mixed with a previously made solution of the microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in water. The sodium benzoate, flavor, and color are diluted with some of the water and added with stirring. Sufficient water is then added to produce the required volume.

Example 11

A subcutaneous formulation may be prepared as follows:

Ingredient Quantity Active Ingredient 5.0 mg Corn Oil 1.0 mL

Example 12

An injectable preparation is prepared having the following composition:

Ingredients Amount Active ingredient 2.0 mg/ml Mannitol, USP  50 mg/ml Gluconic acid, USP q.s. (pH 5-6) water (distilled, sterile) q.s. to 1.0 ml Nitrogen Gas, NF q.s.

Example 13

A topical preparation is prepared having the following composition:

Ingredients grams Active ingredient 0.2-10 Span 60 2.0  Tween 60 2.0  Mineral oil 5.0  Petrolatum 0.10 Methyl paraben 0.15 Propyl paraben 0.05 BHA (butylated hydroxy anisole) 0.01 Water q.s. to 100

All of the above ingredients, except water, are combined and heated to 60° C. with stirring. A sufficient quantity of water at 60° C. is then added with vigorous stirring to emulsify the ingredients, and water then added q.s. 100 g.

Example 14 Sustained Release Composition

Ingredient Weight Range % Active ingredient 50-95 Microcrystalline cellulose (filler)  1-35 Methacrylic acid copolymer  1-35 Sodium hydroxide 0.1-1.0 Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 0.5-5.0 Magnesium stearate 0.5-5.0

The sustained release formulations of this invention are prepared as follows: compound and pH-dependent binder and any optional excipients are intimately mixed (dry-blended). The dry-blended mixture is then granulated in the presence of an aqueous solution of a strong base which is sprayed into the blended powder. The granulate is dried, screened, mixed with optional lubricants (such as talc or magnesium stearate), and compressed into tablets. Preferred aqueous solutions of strong bases are solutions of alkali metal hydroxides, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, preferably sodium hydroxide, in water (optionally containing up to 25% of water-miscible solvents such as lower alcohols).

The resulting tablets may be coated with an optional film-forming agent, for identification, taste-masking purposes and to improve ease of swallowing. The film forming agent will typically be present in an amount ranging from between 2% and 4% of the tablet weight. Suitable film-forming agents are well known to the art and include hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, cationic methacrylate copolymers (dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate/methyl-butyl methacrylate copolymers—Eudragit® E—Röhm. Pharma), and the like. These film-forming agents may optionally contain colorants, plasticizers, and other supplemental ingredients.

The compressed tablets preferably have a hardness sufficient to withstand 8 Kp compression. The tablet size will depend primarily upon the amount of compound in the tablet. The tablets will include from 300 to 1100 mg of compound free base. Preferably, the tablets will include amounts of compound free base ranging from 400-600 mg, 650-850 mg, and 900-1100 mg.

In order to influence the dissolution rate, the time during which the compound containing powder is wet mixed is controlled. Preferably the total powder mix time, i.e. the time during which the powder is exposed to sodium hydroxide solution, will range from 1 to minutes and preferably from 2 to 5 minutes. Following granulation, the particles are removed from the granulator and placed in a fluid bed dryer for drying at about 60° C.

Example 15

Activity testing was conducted in the Examples below using methods described herein and those well known in the art.

Sodium Current Screening Assays:

The late sodium current (Late INa) and peak sodium current (Peak INa) assays were performed on an automated electrophysiology platform, PatchXpress 7000A (MDS Analytical Technologies, Sunnyvale, Calif.), using the whole cell patch clamp technique to measure currents through the cell membrane of up to 16 cells at a time. The assay used an HEK293 (human embryonic kidney) cell line heterologously expressing the wild-type human cardiac sodium channel, hNa_(v)1.5, purchased from Millipore (Billerica, Mass.). No beta subunits were coexpressed with the Na channel alpha subunit. Cells were maintained with standard tissue culture procedures, and stable channel expression was maintained with 400 μg/ml Geneticin in the culture medium. Cells isolated for use on PatchXpress were incubated for 5 minutes in Versene 1× and then for 2 minutes in 0.0125% Trypsin-EDTA (both at 37° C.) to ensure that 80-90% of the cells are single and not part of a cell cluster. Experiments were carried out at 24-27° C.

For both the Late INa and Peak INa assays, series resistance compensation was set to 50% and whole-cell compensation was performed automatically. Currents were low-pass filtered at 10 kHz and digitized at 31.25 kHz. Currents through open sodium channels were automatically recorded and stored in the DataXpress2 database (MDS Analytical Technologies, Sunnyvale, Calif.). Analysis was performed using DataXpress2 analysis software and data are compiled in Excel.

Compound stocks were routinely made in glass vials to 10 mM in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). In some cases, when compounds were not soluble in DMSO, they are made in 100% ethanol. Stocks were sonicated as necessary. The extracellular solution for screening Late INa was composed of: 140 mM NaCl, 4 mM KCl, 1.8 mM CaCl₂, 0.75 mM MgCl₂, and 5 mM HEPES with pH adjusted to 7.4 using NaOH. The extracellular solution for screening Peak INa was composed of: 20 mM NaCl, 120 mM N-methyl-D glucamine, 4 mM KCl, 1.8 mM CaCl₂, 0.75 mM MgCl₂, and 5 mM HEPES with pH adjusted to 7.4 using HCl. The intracellular solution used to perfuse the inside of the cells for both the Late INa and Peak INa assays contained: 120 mM CsF, 20 mM CsC1, 5 mM EGTA, 5 mM HEPES and pH adjusted to 7.4 with CsOH. Compounds were diluted in extracellular solution to 10 M in glass vials and then transferred to glass well plates before robotic addition to the cells. The 0Na extracellular solution used at the end of each experiment for the Late INa and Peak INa assays to measure baseline current contained: 140 mM N-methyl-D-glucamine; 4 mM KCl; 1.8 mM CaCl₂; 0.75 mM MgCl₂; 5 mM HEPES and pH was adjusted to 7.4 with HCl.

Late INa Screening Assay:

For the Late INa assay, sodium channels were activated every 10 seconds (0.1 Hz) by depolarizing the cell membrane to −20 mV for 250 milliseconds (ms) from a holding potential of −120 mV. In response to a −20 mV voltage step, typical Na_(v)1.5 sodium currents activated rapidly to a peak negative current and then inactivated nearly completely within 3-4 ms.

All compounds were tested to determine their activity in blocking the late sodium current. Late INa current was generated by adding 10 μM Tefluthrin (pyrethroid) to the extracellular solution while recording Na currents. For some experiments, 50 nM ATX II (sea anemone toxin), another late INa activator, was used to generate the late component. Both activators generated late components that are large, and thus block of the late component by compounds could be measured easily. For the purposes of the screening, late INa is defined as the mean current between 225 ms and 250 ms after stepping to −20 mV to activate Na channels. After establishing the whole cell recording configuration, late INa activators were added to each well 4 times over a 16-17 minute period so that the late component of the Na current reached a stable value. Compounds were then added (typically at 10 μM), in the presence of late INa activator, with 3 additions over the course of 7 or 8 minutes. Measurements were typically made at the end of exposure to the third compound addition. Measurements were made at the end of exposure to the third compound addition and values were normalized to the current level when all Na⁺ was removed from the extracellular solution after two additions of 0Na-ECF. Results were reported as percent block of late INa

Peak INa Screening Assay:

Compounds were also evaluated for their effect in several other assays, including their effect on Peak INa. After screening compounds against late INa, selected compounds were evaluated for their effect in several other assays, including their effect on peak Ina, given that one goal was to avoid significant block of peak INa. Since the peak INa in our cells can be very large, and thus introducing artifacts in the recording, the concentration of Na⁺ in the bath was reduced to 20 mM and a nonpermeant cation added to compensate for the Na⁺ that was removed to maintain the osmolarity and ionic strength of the solution (see solution details above). All measurements were normalized to the current level when all Na⁺ was removed from the extracellular solution, after two additions of 0Na-ECF.

In some cases we measured the effect of compound on peak INa using data from the late INa assay. But often peak currents were too large to make this possible, requiring that we performed a separate assay to evaluate the effect on peak INa. For the original peak INa assay, we activated the channel every 10 seconds by depolarizing the cell membrane to −20 mV for 250 ms from a holding potential of −120 mV. After establishing the whole cell recording configuration, the recorded currents were allowed to stabilize for 6-7 minutes. Test compound was added at 10 μM with three additions over an 8-9 minute period. Analysis of peak INa generally required correction for rundown before determining the % block of peak current by the tested compound.

A new Peak INa screening assay was developed to allow assessment of the effect of compounds on peak INa at both low and high stimulation frequencies. The goal was to find compounds that were highly selective for block of late INa but did not block peak INa. A low stimulation frequency of 0.1 Hz was used to determine the effect of compound when the channel spends most of the time in the resting (closed) state and provided information about Tonic Block (TB). A higher stimulation frequency (3 Hz) was used to measure block of the channel when it spends more time in the activated and inactivated states, and provided a measure of Use-Dependent Block (UDB). The −100 mV holding potential and the 3 Hz stimulation frequency were chosen so that our benchmark compound would have a small but detectable effect under experimental conditions, allowing for direct comparison of new compounds with the benchmark.

For the new peak INa assay, Na⁺ channels were activated by depolarizing the cell membrane to 0 mV for 20 ms from a holding potential of −100 mV. After establishing the whole cell recording configuration, channels were stimulated to open with low frequency stimulation (0.1 Hz) for 7 minutes so that the recording could be monitored, and to assess the extent to which the recording had stabilized. After this stabilization period the stimulation frequency was increased to 3 Hz for 2 minutes, and then returned to 0.1 Hz. Since 3 Hz stimulation caused a small decrease in the peak current even in the absence of compound, this internal control was used for each cell, when no compound was present, to correct the results from 3 Hz stimulation when compound was present. Following 3 Hz stimulation under control conditions, the cell was allowed to recover for 200 seconds before test compound was added. Compound (10 μM) was added 3 times at 60 second intervals, while stimulating the channels to open at 0.1 Hz to monitor the progression of block. After the 3^(rd) compound addition, a 320 second wait period was imposed to allow for equilibration before the second period of 3 Hz stimulation begins. TB was measured before the second period of 3 Hz stimulation. Both TB and UDB were analyzed by incorporating rundown correction for the peak Ina, and UDB was calculated by compensating for the small use-dependent effect of the stimulation protocol on peak INa in the absence of compound.

hERG Screening Assay:

Compounds were screened to test their activity in blocking the hERG potassium channel. The hERG channel is heterologously expressed in a CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary) cell line. Cells were maintained with standard tissue culture procedures and stable channel expression was maintained with 500 μg/ml G418 in the culture medium. Cells were harvested for testing on the PatchXpress automated patch clamp with Accumax (Innovative Cell Technologies, San Diego, Calif.) to isolate single cells.

The following solutions were used for electrophysiological recordings. The external solution contained: 2 mM CaCl₂; 2 mM MgCl₂; 4 mM KCl; 150 mM NaCl; 10 mM Glucose; 10 mM HEPES (pH 7.4 with 1M NaOH, osmolarity). The internal solution contained: 140 mM KCl, 10 mM MgCl₂, 6 mM EGTA, 5 mM HEPES, 5 mM ATP (pH adjusted to 7.25 with KOH).

hERG channels were activated when the voltage was stepped to +20 mV from the −80 mV holding potential. During a 5 second step at +20 mV, the channels activated and then largely inactivated, so the currents were relatively small. Upon returning to −50 mV from +20 mV, hERG currents transiently became much larger as inactivation was rapidly removed and then the channel closed. The first step to −50 mV for 300 ms was used as a baseline for measuring the peak amplitude during the step to −50 mV after channel activation. The peak current at −50 mV was measured both under control conditions and after addition of compound.

All compounds were prepared as 10 mM DMSO stocks in glass vials. Stock solutions were mixed by vigorous vortexing and sonication for about 2 minutes at room temperature. For testing, compounds were diluted in glass vials using an intermediate dilution step in pure DMSO and then further diluted to working concentrations in external solution. Dilutions were prepared no longer than 20 minutes before use.

After achieving the whole-cell configuration, cells were monitored for 90 seconds to assess stability and washed with external solution for 66 seconds. The voltage protocol described above was then applied to the cells every 12 seconds and throughout the whole procedure. Only cells with stable recording parameters and meeting specified health criteria were allowed to enter the compound addition procedure.

External solution containing 0.1% DMSO (vehicle) was applied to the cells first to establish the control peak current amplitude. After allowing the current to stabilize for 3 to minutes, 1 μM and then 10 μM test compounds were applied. Each compound concentration was added 4 times and cells were kept in test solution until the effect of the compound reached steady state or for a maximum of 12 minutes. After addition of test compound, a positive control (1 μM Cisapride) was added, and must block >95% of the current for the experiment to be considered valid. Washout in the external solution compartment was performed until the recovery of the current reached steady state. Data was analyzed using DataXpress, Clampfit (Molecular Devices, Inc., Sunnyvale) and Origin 7 (Originlab Corp.)

L-type Calcium Channel Activity Well-Plate Assay:

Cell Culture: IMR-32 (human neuroblastoma) cells were obtained from The American Type Culture Collection. The cells were maintained in MEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 2 mM of L-glutamine, 100 IU/ml of penicillin, 50 μg/ml of streptomycin, 1% of sodium pyruvate, 1% of sodium bicarbonate and 1% of non-essential amino acid. The cells were cultured at 37° C. in a humidified 5% CO₂/95% air incubator. Culture medium was changed every two days and cells were recultivated when they reached 70-80% confluent.

Assay: IMR-32 cells were seeded on a Microtest 96-well Assay Plate (BD FALCON™) at a density of 200,000 cells/well in 200 μl culture medium for overnight. The culture medium was removed, and replaced by 120 μl Ca-4 dye (MDS Analytical Technologies, Sunnyvale, Calif.) in HBSS (1× Hank's Balanced Salt solution plus 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4) containing 2 mM probenecid. Cells were then incubated for 1 hour at 37° in incubator. Testing compounds were diluted from 5 μM-50 μM in HBSS, and 40 μl were added in cells before assay. L-type calcium channel activities (Max-Min) were measured after addition of 40 μl of 1 μM (−)Bay K 8644 plus 50 mM KCl (final concentration) using FlexStation (Molecular Devices) immediately after addition of testing compounds. The inhibition of L-type calcium channel activity by compounds was then calculated.

Compounds were tested and found to be effective using the described assay methods at a concentration of 10 μM in the late INa and Peak INa assays, and at 1 μM and 10 μM for the hERG and L-type calcium channel assays. The assay results demonstrated that the compounds tested showed activity as modulators of late sodium current, for example by inhibiting (or reducing) the late sodium current.

It is generally desirable that the effects of a compound be specific for the late sodium current and show little or no activity with respect to one or more other ion channels. Thus, in some embodiments, a compound having an activity of reducing late sodium current will also exhibit little or no activity with regard to the peak sodium current. In particular embodiments, a compound having an activity of reducing late sodium current will also exhibit little or no activity with regard to the hERG potassium channel. In some embodiments, a compound having an activity of reducing late sodium current will also exhibit little or no activity with regard to the L-type calcium channel. For example, a given compound may provide a 30% (or greater, e.g. more than 40%, more than 50%, more than 60%, more than 70%, more than 80%) reduction in late sodium current in the assay described herein, and the same compound may exhibit little or no activity for one or more of the peak sodium current, the hERG potassium channel, and the L-type calcium channel. In this regard, a compound having “little” effect will typically show less then a 30% reduction (e.g. less than a 20% reduction, less than a 15% reduction, less than a 10% reduction) in the given activity (e.g. Peak INa, hERG, L-type calcium), when measured using the assay described herein. In this regard, “no” effect means that any activity measured will differ from the control by less than the standard error of the measurement. The assays conducted to measure activities in this regard should be performed as described above, with the compound at a concentration of 10 μM (or at the upper limit of solubility, if less).

L-Type Ca+ Channel Assay—ChanTest

We currently use the ChanTest to screen selected compounds for block of the cardiac L-type Ca²⁺ channel (hCav1.2, encoded by the human CACNA1C gene and coexpressed with the beta 2 subunit, encoded by the human CACNB2 gene, and alpha2delta1, encoded by the CACNA2D1 gene). The Ca²⁺ channel is heterologously expressed in a CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary) cell line. Cells are maintained following standard tissue culture procedures and stable channel expression is maintained with appropriate selection antibiotics in the culture medium. Cells are harvested for testing on the PatchXpress automated patch clamp (Model 7000A, Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.) by washing twice with Hank's Balanced Salt Solution, treating the cells with trypsin, and re-suspending cells in culture medium (4−6×10⁶ cells in 20 mL). Cells in suspension are allowed to recover for 10 minutes in a tissue culture incubator set at 37° C. in a humidified 95% air, 5% CO₂ atmosphere.

The following solutions are used for electrophysiological recordings. The external solution contains (mM): 137 NaCl, 4 KCl, 1.8 CaCl2, 1 MgCl2, 10 Glucose, 10 HEPES (pH 7.4 with NaOH). The internal solution contains (mM): 130 Cs Aspartate, 5 MgCl2, 5 EGTA, 4 ATP, 0.1 GTP, 10 HEPES, (pH adjusted to 7.2 with N-methyl-D-glucamine).

Vehicle is applied to naïve cells (n≧2, where n=the number cells), for a 5-10 minute exposure interval. Each solution exchange is performed in quadruplicate. At the end of each experiment, a saturating concentration of nifedipine (10 μM) is added to block hCav1.2 current. Leak current is digitally subtracted from the total membrane current record.

Test compound stock solutions are prepared by addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and stored frozen. Each test compound DMSO stock is sonicated (Model 2510/5510, Branson Ultrasonics, Danbury, Conn.), at ambient room temperature for at least 20 minutes to facilitate dissolution. Test compound concentrations are prepared fresh daily by diluting stock solutions into the standard extracellular physiological saline solution (see above). The maximum percent of DMSO added with compound is 0.1%. All test compound and control solutions are placed in a glass-lined 96-well compound plate before loading on PatchXpress.

One or two concentrations (1, 10 μM) of each test compound is applied at five (5) minute intervals via disposable polyethylene micropipette tips to naïve cells (n≧2, where n=the number cells/concentration). Each test compound concentration is added to the cell in quadruplicate. Total duration of exposure to each test compound concentration is 5 minutes.

Onset and steady state block of hCav1.2 channels is measured using a stimulus voltage pattern consisting of a depolarizing test pulse (duration, 200 ms; amplitude, 10 mV) at 10 s intervals from a −80 mV holding potential. Peak current is measured during a step to mV.

In particular embodiments, a compound will exhibit a high selectivity for the late sodium current modulatory activity as compared to the activity in one or more other ion channels. The selectivity of a compound may be determined by determining the percentage reduction in late sodium current due to the compound, as measured by the assay described above. The percentage reduction in one other ion channel activity, such as the hERG potassium channel or L-type calcium channel, due to the compound is determined as described above. The selectivity is determined by taking the ratio of (percentage reduction in late sodium current) to (percentage reduction in one other ion channel activity). The assays conducted to measure activities in this regard should be performed as described above, with the compound at a concentration of 10 μM (or at the upper limit of solubility, if less). In particular embodiments, the selectivity of a compound of the invention will be at least 5:1, e.g. at least 6:1, at least 7:1, at least 8:1, at least 9:1, at least 10:1, at least 12:1, at least 15:1, at least 20:1, or at least 25:1, when comparing the percentage reduction in late sodium current versus percentage reduction of one of the peak sodium current, the hERG potassium channel current, or the L-type calcium channel.

Na_(v)1.7 Screening Assay:

Evidence supports a role for the tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na_(v)1.7 in the pathogenesis of pain. In this assay, whole-cell patch-clamp techniques were used to determine the effects of compounds of Formula (I) on human Nav1.7 (hNav1.7+β1 subunits) channels expressed in HEK293 cells. The Na_(v)1.7 cell line was prepared by stably transfecting HEK293 cells with human Na_(v)1.7 α unit and β1 subunit. HEK293 cells stably expressing huNa_(v)1.7 were analysed by patch clamp techniques and were found to have Na⁺ currents between −400 and −1800 pA (no currents were recorded in untransfected cells). The Na⁺ current in these cells was blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX) with an IC₅₀ value of 10-74 nmol/L. Similar results were obtained by use of membrane potential-sensitive dyes.

Stock solutions of compounds of Formula (IA) and (IB) (“test compounds”) were prepared in DMSO at a concentration of 40 mmol/L just prior to use. Each test compound was tested in duplicate at 100 μM, then a 1 in 4 serial dilution to yield 8 concentrations for testing. TTX was used as a control inhibitor of Na_(v)1.7 current.

The effect of test compounds to reduce Na_(v)1.7 Na⁺ current was measured using a fluorescent dye-based membrane potential assay kit (#R8123) from Molecular Devices (California, USA). Briefly, cells were seeded into poly-D-lysine pre-coated black-wall, clear-bottom 96-well Biocoat plates in 100 μl growth media 24 h prior to assay. On the day of the assay the membrane potential dye was prepared and pre-warmed with Hepes-HBSS solution to 37° C. To each well, 100 μl dye was added and incubated at 37° C. for 60 min. Veratridine was added to each well to achieve a final concentration of 50 μmol/L. Test compound was then added to each well in the desired concentration, and fluorescence was recorded. For each test compound data set, an IC₅₀ value was calculated based on the assay points generated.

In particular embodiments, a compound will exhibit a high selectivity for the late sodium current modulatory activity as compared to the activity in one or more other ion channels. The selectivity of a compound may be determined by determining the percentage reduction in late sodium current due to the compound, as measured by the assay described above. The percentage reduction in one other ion channel activity, such as the hERG potassium channel or L-type calcium channel, due to the compound is determined as described above. The selectivity is determined by taking the ratio of (percentage reduction in late sodium current) to (percentage reduction in one other ion channel activity). The assays conducted to measure activities in this regard should be performed as described above, with the compound at a concentration of 10 μM (or at the upper limit of solubility, if less). In particular embodiments, the selectivity of a compound of the invention will be at least 5:1, e.g. at least 6:1, at least 7:1, at least 8:1, at least 9:1, at least 10:1, at least 12:1, at least 15:1, at least 20:1, or at least 25:1, when comparing the percentage reduction in late sodium current versus percentage reduction of one of the peak sodium current, the hERG potassium channel current, or the L-type calcium channel.

Results

Late Late INa INa HERG HERG 10 uM 1 uM 10 uM 1 uM Chemical Name

19.0 2-hydroxy-N-(2-{2-oxo-7-[4- (trifiuoromethoxy)phenyl]-3- (trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin- 1(2H)-yl}ethyl)acetamide

33.7 1,3-dimethyl-6-[4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] quinoxalin-2(1H)-one

14.3 6-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1,3- dimethylquinoxalin-2(1H)- one

39.9 47.5 10.0 1-methyl-6-[4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3- (trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin- 2(1H)-one

61.7 31.0 1,3-dimethyl-7-[4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] quinoxalin-2(1H)-one

38.7 39.0 10.00 1-methyl-7-[4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3- (trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin- 2(1H)-one

51.6 41.5 10.00 1-methyl-7-[4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] quinoxalin-2(1H)-one

17.5 7-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1- methylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one

45.5 1,3-dimethyl-7-[3- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] quinoxalin-2(1H)-one

49.7 1,3-dimethyl-7-[3- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] quinoxalin-2(1H)-one

58.3 69.5 25.0 1,3-dimethyl-7-[4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] quinoxalin-2(1H)-one

49.3 79.5 34.0 ethyl 4-methyl-3-oxo-6-[4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]- 3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2- carboxylate

54.3 ethyl 4-methyl-3-oxo-6-[3- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]- 3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2- carboxylate

44.6 3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-[4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] quinoxalin-2(1H)-one

77.5 51.3 10.0 10.0 3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-[3- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] quinoxalin-2(1H)-one

60.3 31.3 10.0 10.0 1-methyl-3-(propan-2-yl)-7- [4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] quinoxalin-2(1H)-one

49.9 1-methyl-3-(propan-2-yl)-7- [3- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] quinoxalin-2(1H)-one

70.9 71.5 19.5 1,3-dimethyl-6-[3- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] quinoxalin-2(1H)-one

58.1 N-(2-{3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7- [3- (trifiuoromethoxy)phenyl] quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl}ethyl)-2- hydroxyacetamide

31.6 1-methyl-6-[3- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3- (trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin- 2(1H)-one

54.0 76.0 19.5 3-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1- methyl-7-[4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] quinoxalin-2(1H)-one

24.0 1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)- 6-[3- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] quinoxalin-2(1H)-one

50.2 10 10 3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl) quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound selected from the group consisting of: 1,3-dimethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-quinoxalin-2(11H)-one; 1,3-dimethyl-6-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 6-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1,3-dimethylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1-methyl-6-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-1-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1,3-dimethyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1-methyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1,3-dimethyl-7-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1,3-dimethyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1-methyl-3-(propan-2-yl)-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(H)-one; 1-methyl-3-(propan-2-yl)-7-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1,3-dimethyl-6-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1-methyl-6-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-6-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1,3-dimethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(H)-one; 7-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1,3-dimethylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1,3-dimethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 7-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1,3-dimethyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1,3-dimethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-isopropyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-isopropyl-1-methyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1-methyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 2-hydroxy-N-(2-{2-oxo-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl}ethyl)acetamide; ethyl 4-methyl-3-oxo-6-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; ethyl 4-methyl-3-oxo-6-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; N-(2-{3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl}ethyl)-2-hydroxyacetamide; 3-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1-methyl-7-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 2-hydroxy-N-(2-(2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)acetamide; 2-oxo-2-(2-(2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethylamino)ethyl acetate; 2-hydroxy-N-(2-(3-t-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)acetamide; 3-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; tert-butyl 2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetate; tert-butyl 2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetate; 2-hydroxy-N-(2-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)acetamide; 2-hydroxy-N-(2-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)acetamide; 3-benzyl-1-methyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-tert-butyl-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-tert-butyl-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1-methyl-3-phenyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1-methyl-3-phenyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-isopropyl-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-isopropyl-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; ethyl 2-(4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanoate; ethyl 2-(4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanoate; 2-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetic acid; 3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetic acid; 3-tert-butyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; tert-butyl 3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoate; 3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-isopropyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; ethyl 4-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-3-oxo-6-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-isopropyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-tert-butyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; ethyl 6-(3-bromophenyl)-4-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-3-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate; 1-methyl-3-phenethyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-(indolin-3-yl)-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-(4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanoic acid; 3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 4-((3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)methyl)benzoic acid; 2-(2-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethoxy)acetic acid; 4-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic acid; N-methyl-3-(4-methyl-3-oxo-6-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanamide; 3-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-benzoyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-isonicotinoyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-(3-benzoyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 4-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(4-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic acid; 3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-(4-phenoxypiperidin-1-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-hydroxy-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-(3-benzyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 4-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic acid; 3-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 1-methyl-3-(methyl(phenyl)amino)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1-methyl-3-(phenylthio)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1-methyl-3-phenoxy-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 1-methyl-3-(phenylamino)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; N-(2-(3-methyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)methanesulfonamide; N-(2-(3-isopropyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)methanesulfonamide; 3-(1H-imidazol-2-ylthio)-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(4-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(2-methoxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-(7-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3-tert-butyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-tert-butyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(H)-one; 2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetic acid; 3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(3-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 4-(3-tert-butyl-7-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic acid; 3-(3-tert-butyl-6-methoxy-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(2-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; (R)-3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)butanoic acid; 3-(2-oxo-3-(2-phenylpropan-2-yl)-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-(3-tert-butyl-6-methyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; and ethyl 4-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-3-oxo-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carboxylate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt therefor.
 2. A compound selected from the group consisting of: 3-benzyl-1-methyl-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; 3-tert-butyl-1-methyl-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; N-(2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)ethyl)-2-hydroxyacetamide; and 1-methyl-3-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-7-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 3. A method of treating a disease state in a human patient that is alleviable by treatment with an agent capable of reducing late sodium current, comprising administering to said patient in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim
 1. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the disease state is a cardiovascular disease selected from one or more of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, heart failure (including congestive heart failure, diastolic heart failure, systolic heart failure, acute heart failure), Prinzmetal's (variant) angina, stable and unstable angina, exercise induced angina, congestive heart disease, ischemia, recurrent ischemia, reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, peripheral arterial disease, and intermittent claudication.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the disease state is diabetes or diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the compound is: 3-(7-(biphenyl-3-yl)-3-tert-butyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-(3-tert-butyl-7-(2-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 3-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)propanoic acid; 2-(3-tert-butyl-2-oxo-7-(4-phenoxyphenyl)quinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetic acid; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim
 1. 